Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley 2 Leigh RMI 1
Accrington Stanley
By Jordan Reay September 21 2004
Conference high-flyers Accrington chalked up their sixth win in eight games, beating an average, but improving, Leigh RMI. Two goals from Lee McEvilly sealed RMI's fate, with Michael Byrne netting a late injury time consolation for the battling Railwaymen.
Accrington Stanley
Conference high-flyers Accrington chalked up their sixth win in eight games, beating an average, but improving, Leigh RMI. Two goals from Lee McEvilly sealed RMI's fate, with Michael Byrne netting a late injury time consolation for the battling Railwaymen.
The game started slowly, with both sides struggling to get their play flowing, mainly because of the blustery conditions in and around the Interlink Express Stadium. Leigh had the first chance of the game, when Ian Fitzpatrick saw his 35-yard free kick sail over the bar on 6 minutes.
Rory Prendergast had Accrington's first shot of the game, when he saw his 25-yard drilled effort comfortably saved by Ian Martin in the RMI goal. Despite a fairly quiet opening to the game, the opening goal came after only 17 minutes, when McEvilly recieved a clever pass from Ged Brannan's free kick and he drilled the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to give Stanley the lead.
On 24 minutes Accrington should have doubled their lead, when after an onslaught of pressure, Paul Mullin met Stephen Jagielka's inswinging corner 6-yards out, but could only direct his header onto the crossbar. Mullin had another header saved by Martin this time a few moments later, just after Ian Craney ballooned his 20-yard effort over the bar.
Alex Meechan had a chance to equalise for RMI a few mnutes before half-time, but he could only driect Byrne's cross over the bar from 6-yards.
The second half started pretty much how the first ended, with Stanley attacking, looking to put the game out of RMI's reach and secure the three points. The impressive Mullin had yet another effort five minutes in, only to see his 18-yard effort saved by Martin once again.
Accrington's pressure finally paid off when McEvilly scored his second of the game, when he headed in Prendergast's corner from 6-yards on the hour mark.
But in traditional Leigh RMI style, the Railwaymen didn't give up and the inspirational Gareth Stoker lead the charge five minutes later, when his steaming 25-yard effort smashed against the woodwork and went out for a goal kick. Byrne then had a long ranged effort a few minutes later but his shot sailed wide to the left of the goal.
Leigh continued to pile the pressure on, but it seemed like on of those days. Finally three minutes into stoppage time, RMI scored a well deserved consolation, when Byrne slotted the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
Rory Prendergast had Accrington's first shot of the game, when he saw his 25-yard drilled effort comfortably saved by Ian Martin in the RMI goal. Despite a fairly quiet opening to the game, the opening goal came after only 17 minutes, when McEvilly recieved a clever pass from Ged Brannan's free kick and he drilled the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to give Stanley the lead.
On 24 minutes Accrington should have doubled their lead, when after an onslaught of pressure, Paul Mullin met Stephen Jagielka's inswinging corner 6-yards out, but could only direct his header onto the crossbar. Mullin had another header saved by Martin this time a few moments later, just after Ian Craney ballooned his 20-yard effort over the bar.
Alex Meechan had a chance to equalise for RMI a few mnutes before half-time, but he could only driect Byrne's cross over the bar from 6-yards.
The second half started pretty much how the first ended, with Stanley attacking, looking to put the game out of RMI's reach and secure the three points. The impressive Mullin had yet another effort five minutes in, only to see his 18-yard effort saved by Martin once again.
Accrington's pressure finally paid off when McEvilly scored his second of the game, when he headed in Prendergast's corner from 6-yards on the hour mark.
But in traditional Leigh RMI style, the Railwaymen didn't give up and the inspirational Gareth Stoker lead the charge five minutes later, when his steaming 25-yard effort smashed against the woodwork and went out for a goal kick. Byrne then had a long ranged effort a few minutes later but his shot sailed wide to the left of the goal.
Leigh continued to pile the pressure on, but it seemed like on of those days. Finally three minutes into stoppage time, RMI scored a well deserved consolation, when Byrne slotted the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
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