An encouraging crowd of over 1,300 turned up for Leigh Genesis’ inaugural fixture at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium, but many were to go home in disappointment as visitors FC United chalked up a comfortable victory.
After months of false-starts and alternative venues, Leigh finally made their bow at their impressive new home but, playing a 4-5-1 formation, found themselves largely on the back foot for much of the first half.
After wasting a couple of earlier chances, it was on seventeen minutes when the visitors took the lead, Leigh defender Ben McHugh being dispossessed in his own area by FC United striker Jerome Wright, who made no mistake in lashing the ball past Genesis goalkeeper Danny Morton and claiming the honour of being the very first goalscorer at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.
United left back Simon Garner almost grabbed a second goal for the visitors seven minutes later when his ambitious shot from distance was awkwardly tipped over the crossbar by Morton before Alex Cunliffe had the first chance for the hosts, firing wide of the target from the edge of the area.
Phil Marsh sent a free kick arrowing inches away from goal just before half-time but, wiith Leigh struggling to get a foothold in the game, United's victory was sealed with twenty one minutes remaining when substitute Jamie Baguley fired a terrific shot past Morton from just outside of the penalty area.
Such a big crowd will prove infinitely encouraging to the club, but the team need to start picking up points sooner rather than later, starting with the relegation six-pointer with Worksop Town in a fixture that, with the Leigh Sports Village Stadium unavailable, is to be played at Stainton Park, the home of Radcliffe Borough.
Leigh Genesis; Danny Morton, Mark Radcliffe, Kris King, Chris Page, Ben McHugh (Nia Bayunu), Nick Linford (Kyle Lambert), Steve Settle, Karl Brown, Phil Marsh, Alex Cunliffe, Dale Whitham (Sam Parkinson)
maybe the lack of length in ur report waz due to the fact that the leigh fans who seem to be at every "home" game waz victamised to the idiots stewarding the game wen most people have standing season tickets being told were not aloud to go were we paid for!!!! sort it out or ur gonna lose the vital fans who go every game!!! bit of a rant but remeber there 89 or 8 or 9 cameras in the staidum lmfao
Aye summat in that region, Moz. I know where I recognise that particular steward from as well now; he's a supervisor on the North Lower at the Reebok (and he's not much better then either).
As I have said elsewhere they were totally out of order. And why is it ok to transfer between stands pre game but not at half time.
You deserve better than being treated like that, totally abysmal.
Anyway get yourselves to Gigg on 14th where you can stand and sing to your hearts content.
Was quite a negative performance but I was impressed with the lad we had up front. Hopefully we can stick another man up top and try and grind out some results now!
Niall_Genesis Was quite a negative performance but I was impressed with the lad we had up front. Hopefully we can stick another man up top and try and grind out some results now!
Number 9 (Phil Marsh) has been very impressive recently - think he works quite well when Alex Cunliffe (number 10) plays just behind him.
Expect the Christmas Pudding formation on Saturday by the way Nick. And on the same Mike Bassett subject, can anyone get a screen grab off the DVD of Gibby's flag?!
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