By Matt Lawton
July 24 2010

A controlling performance from Leigh Genesis saw Mark Maddox's new charges run out comfortable victors over North West Counties Premier League side Silsden.

After drawing 3-3 with Chadderton in their first pre-season outing eleven days ago, Maddox's Genesis side had a more secure look to them with a number of trialists released between this fixture and the side's last outing.

On a pleasant afternoon in Yorkshire, Mark King, Adam Strode and John Lawless were all in the Leigh starting line up after signing for the club earlier in the week, and it was Lawless who had the first chance of the afternoon, thumping a free kick from the edge of the area against the crossbar after just four minutes.

Just three minutes later and Leigh created another chance after a delightful exchange between Lawless and strike partner Jamie Henders released Strode down the right hand side to cross for Andy Heald at the back post, only for the player/coach's attempt on goal to be deflected wide.

Even in the early stages and with a side who had only played alongside each other in training, Leigh were playing some terrific passing football, with Strode going close on thirteen minutes, seeing his shot deflected narrowly wide of the target after an incredible mazy run that saw him dribble from the halfway line and around several would-be tacklers before shooting from the edge of the area.

On twenty minutes, Henders and Lawless were again neat in their build-up play to release Strode, but the former Accrington youngster could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

Half-time saw a number of changes in the Leigh side with several trial players hoping to impress, and they did exactly that on fifty seven minutes when, after some smart build up play, Nick Eastman broke down the right hand side for Mick Vernon to head home his second goal in two pre-season outings.

Ten minutes later and Leigh doubled their lead, with a familiar face in Chris Dykes, who made nineteen Genesis appearances last season, delivering a pinpoint cross from Rick Gleave to lash home at the back post.

Assistant manager Gary scott came off the Leigh bench later in the game, but it was the hosts who completed the scoring, pulling a goal back on seventy two minutes when some persistent attacking play down Silsden's left hand side paid off when Danny Bathers hooked the ball past substitute goalkeeper Dennis Barlow.

With Silsden competing just one league below Leigh's Evo-Stik League Division One North status, the afternoon proved to be a satisfactory test and result for Mark Maddox's side, who take on Wirral side Newton on Tuesday evening (7pm kick off) before next Saturday's mouthwatering away game at Blue Square North outfit Vauxhall Motors.