Leigh RMI 2 Canvey Island 1
By Matt Lawton April 5 2005
Two first half goals saw RMI claim an unlikely victory over Canvey Island after a spirited Hilton Park performance, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from being relegated.
Two first half goals saw RMI claim an unlikely victory over Canvey Island after a spirited Hilton Park performance, but it wasn't enough to prevent them from being relegated.
With only victory sufficing if RMI are to have any hope of staying up, they started the game brightly and put pressure on the Canvey goal from the start as they looked to avenge their defeat down south earlier in the season.
Ben Jones went close from the edge of the box and Chris Lane's cross in to the box was deflected away before Lee Mulvaney gave the hosts an early lead from the edge of the area, but the story of RMI's season was summed up almost immediately when Canvey dashed the optimism of the small RMI faithful when they equalised from the penalty spot barely a matter of minutes later when Junior McDougald converted the spot kick following a foul on Jon Keeling.
After falling to a 5-1 defeat at Halifax on Saturday despite taking the lead in similar circumstances, RMI supporters weren't too hopeful of gaining anything from the match, but it is testimony to the confidence and determination that Steve Bleasdale has instilled in to his side since being appointed as manager that it didn't take long for the Railwaymen to re-take the lead, with Ben Jones scoring his goal in RMI colours twelve minutes after Canvey equalised.
Despite heavy pressure from the visitors, and an almost endless period of injury at the end of the game, the majority of the crowd of 201 celebrated victory, although the inevitability of relegation was confirmed with news filtering through of Northwich's home victory over Forest Green Rovers.
It finally spells the end of RMI's brave rollercoaster existence in the Conference top-flight that has seen them earn plenty of friends up and down the country, not to mention unearth a gem or two during their five-season spell in the Conference.
So Conference North it is next season, and a renewal of old rivalries from the club's Unibond League days, and although there is of course disappointment at relegation being made official this evening, there is also a growing sense of optimisn that the progress made under Bleasdale will ensure that RMI are competitive in what is set to be a thrilling division next season.
Ben Jones went close from the edge of the box and Chris Lane's cross in to the box was deflected away before Lee Mulvaney gave the hosts an early lead from the edge of the area, but the story of RMI's season was summed up almost immediately when Canvey dashed the optimism of the small RMI faithful when they equalised from the penalty spot barely a matter of minutes later when Junior McDougald converted the spot kick following a foul on Jon Keeling.
After falling to a 5-1 defeat at Halifax on Saturday despite taking the lead in similar circumstances, RMI supporters weren't too hopeful of gaining anything from the match, but it is testimony to the confidence and determination that Steve Bleasdale has instilled in to his side since being appointed as manager that it didn't take long for the Railwaymen to re-take the lead, with Ben Jones scoring his goal in RMI colours twelve minutes after Canvey equalised.
Despite heavy pressure from the visitors, and an almost endless period of injury at the end of the game, the majority of the crowd of 201 celebrated victory, although the inevitability of relegation was confirmed with news filtering through of Northwich's home victory over Forest Green Rovers.
It finally spells the end of RMI's brave rollercoaster existence in the Conference top-flight that has seen them earn plenty of friends up and down the country, not to mention unearth a gem or two during their five-season spell in the Conference.
So Conference North it is next season, and a renewal of old rivalries from the club's Unibond League days, and although there is of course disappointment at relegation being made official this evening, there is also a growing sense of optimisn that the progress made under Bleasdale will ensure that RMI are competitive in what is set to be a thrilling division next season.
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
More Leigh Genesis headlines
Leigh Genesis latest threads
Leigh Genesis Poll
