Leigh Genesis Official Supporters
Leigh Genesis 2 Cammell Laird 1
By Matt Lawton
March 31 2009
A goal in each half from Jordan Stepien saw Leigh Genesis celebrated their long-awaited return to the Leigh Sports Village Stadium with a deserved victory over basement rivals Cammell Laird in an exhilarating Tuesday evening encounter.
A week after beginning his managerial career with a credible 0-0 draw away to Frickley Athletic, new Genesis boss Garry Flitcroft continued his unbeaten start as he made his Leigh Sports Village Stadium debut, with Flitcroft's recruitment in the transfer market there for all to see, with no less than four debutants in the Genesis starting line up.
Backed by a vociferous crowd, jubilant at the end of the club's exile at various North West venues, Leigh started with a swagger and vigour that suggested a huge boost in confidence in the squad, with the billiard table-like surface of the Leigh Sports Village Stadium providing the perfect venue for them to display their talents.
Those talents were suitably demonstrated on twenty three minutes when debutant Jack Dorney, on loan from Bury, threaded an inch perfect through ball for former Gigg Lane team mate Jordan Stepien to latch on to and lift a delicate shot over advancing goalkeeper Richie Whiteside.
The last time the two sides met, Lairds ran out 5-1 victors over what was effectively a Genesis youth team at Chorley's Victory Park in the FA Trophy last November but, despite the best efforts of busy front pair Josh Thomson and former Leigh man Alex Hay, the visitors were unlikely to repeat such a scoreline, particularly with Leigh centre back pairing Chris Page and Jonathan Smith showing the type of understanding that usually takes years, rather than days, to develop.
Pacy wingman Dorney almost grabbed a second for Genesis after a wonderful run saw him evade a several challenges, only to hold fire for a split second too long and see his strike deflected wide by Tony Rendell after shifting the ball on to his preferred left foot.
Genesis had a huge slice of luck in the early stages of the second half when Hay managed to beat the Leythers' offside trap and break clear, with his cross deflecting off Kris King and seemingly heading over the line with debutant goalkeeper Stephen Drench wrong-footed, only for Leigh to be thankful in the most unlikely of circumstances, with Lairds striker Josh Thomson inadvertently blocking the ball on the line when attempting to diver the ball in to the net.
Leigh didn't heed that warning and, after a lengthy delay for a Chris Page head injury, Lairds substitute Robbie Courtenay levelled the scores in near silence, heading a right wing corner past Drench to stun the home fans.
However, with Leigh refusing to be downhearted at being pegged back, the scores were level only for another six minutes before the timely intervention of Stepien, scoring his second goal in two games since returning to the club from Blue Square North outfit Burscough earlier this month.
Right sided midfielder Tom Ince, another impressive debutant, did well to beat left Anthony Lynch and cross for Stepien to lay the ball off for experienced midfielder Andy Heald just outside the penalty area. Heald miscued his shot but the sharp reactions of Stepien, played onside by a dozing defender despite the appeals of Lairds players, saw him control the ball beautifully before swiftly curling a wonderful strike past Whiteside and in to the top corner of the net. Cue delirium.
As the Genesis faithful's version of Darude's "Sandstorm" rang around the Leigh Sports Village Stadium, it would be crude to suggest that, given their name, Cammell Laird would be used to such a whirlwind, but few sides in the UniBond Premier League would be able to live with the quality of Leigh's passing football.
Former Bamber Bridge man Neil Zarak, the perfect foil up front for Stepien, was withdrawn from the action before Stepien left the field to a standing ovation as the hosts looked to close out the result, with Steve Flitcroft, brother of manager Garry, coming on to shore up a five man midfield with substitute Martin Ormesher as a lone striker. Despite a nerve-jangling five minutes of added on time, Leigh managed to keep out their visitors and even create a couple of chances on the counter attack as the home fans celebrated a thrilling victory.
The victory takes Genesis four points clear of bottom club Prescot Cables with a game in hand and a renewed confidence that an escape from relegation, deemed almost impossible only a matter of weeks ago, is now appearing like a beacon on the horizon ahead of Saturday's trip to fellow strugglers Boston United.
Leigh Genesis; Stephen Drench, Richmond Botchey, Kris King, Andy Heald, Chris Page, Jonathan Smith, Tom Ince, Karl Brown, Jordan Stepien (Steve Flitcroft), Neil Zarak (Martin Ormesher), Jack Dorney
Date: | Tuesday 31st March 2009 |
Venue: | Leigh Sports Village Stadium, Leigh |
Attendance: | 348 |
Half time: | Leigh Genesis 1 Cammell Laird 0 |
Competition: | UniBond Premier League |
Scorers: | |
Leigh Genesis | Jordan Stepien (2) |
Cammell Laird | Robbie Courtenay |
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Stumbleupon31/03/2009 22:22
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If we perform the way we did throughout most of that match to the end of the season then we will hopefully be safe from relegation.
For all those who were newcomers tonight, I reckon they would be really impressed with the style of play and also with the support we have got!
enjoyed watching leigh in leigh even though it was sitting down!!
just off for a bank loan now to pay for my half time hot dog and coffee!!!!!
I thought Dorney had a brilliant game along with Drench. Jordan Stepien and Zarac had a good game also.
Glad you enjoyed your visit to the more salubrious side of the borough and will come back again, though this time make sure you get a picture of the flags!
Buzzing after tonight's game, even if it has taken me an age to update the website because of the five debutants!
LG-SA.co.uk
Quote:Bondy!
Any pictures of the Barmy Leythers?
Here
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:07:09:21:57:37 by Leyther_Matt.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:01:11:13:25 by Red City Leyther.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:01:13:47:04 by Red City Leyther.
Quote:The band on this network seems to be a bit to narrow for the pics, go on " Facebook" for of Mozzers new barnet.Leyther_Matt
He'll be wearing Dave's duffle coat next will Kenzie, erm I mean Moz!
LG-SA.co.uk
Moz - it's only half your face because you've got that big a forehead! That, and for some reason it doesn't resize pictures on here to fit the window.
LG-SA.co.uk
