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Leigh RMI 0 Halifax Town 3

By Matt Lawton August 28 2004
A dire Leigh RMI performance left them still searching for their first victory of the new season following a three-goal hammering at home to Roses rivals Halifax Town.
The Railwaymen came in to the game with only one point to their name for this season, with two defeats and a 0-0 draw with Burton Albion under their belts, and a record of failing to score in more than three hours of football since taking a one goal lead at home to Crawley on the opening day of the season.

RMI were never particularly in the game and struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with their only opportunities coming from set pieces, but even then they more often than not fell victim to poor deliveries from both Warren Peyton and Chris Lane, with their free kicks and corners invariably being cleared or easily taken by Shaymen goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin.

Despite Halifax threatening Ian Martin's goal on several occasions from distance, it ironically took a set piece for the visitors to take a deserved lead when Martin Foster's pin-point cross was met by a thumping Mark Monington header.

RMI failed to manage to create any chances before half time but did well to keep out any further goals, meaning the hosts were only a goal down at the half time whistle.

The second half followed much the same pattern with RMI continually failing to trouble Dunbavin's goal, much to the dismay of the home supporters, while Halifax peppered the RMI goal with shots, although they failed to extend their lead until the final quarter, when a defensive mix-up allowed Lewis Killeen to slot the ball home, before Craig Midgley confirmed the rout with only a matter of minutes remaining.

RMI's day was summed up, and probably the only positive aspect they can take out of the game, in the fact that their man of the match was goalkeeper Ian Martin, who performed heroics in keeping the score down to three, denying Ryan Sugden and a second goal for Mark Monington with stunning second half saves in what was yet another solid performance from the Australian shot-shopper.

Although the RMI defence looked secure at times and did well to keep the score down, a three goal home defeat isn't of any good by anyone's standards, and RMI's lack of attacking invention will be of grave concern to RMI boss Phil Starbuck, who will be stepping up his efforts to complete the signing of a new striker as a consequence.

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