Debut night at LSV ends in defeat for Leigh Genesis against FC United

Source: Leigh Journal

8:53am Wednesday 28th January 2009

By Matt Lawton

Leigh Genesis 0 FC United 2

AN encouraging crowd of more than 1,300 turned up for Leigh Genesis’ inaugural fixture at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Tuesday night but many were to go home in disappointment as visitors FC United chalked up a comfortable victory.

After months of false starts and alternative venues, Leigh finally made their bow at their impressive new home but, playing a 4-5-1 formation, found themselves largely on the back foot for much of the first half.

After wasting a couple of earlier chances, it was on 17 minutes when the visitors took the lead.

Leigh defender Ben McHugh was dispossessed in his own area by FC United striker Jerome Wright, who made no mistake in lashing the ball past Genesis goalkeeper Danny Morton and claiming the honour of being the very first goal scorer at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

United left back Simon Garner almost grabbed a second goal for the visitors seven minutes later when his ambitious shot from distance was awkwardly tipped over the crossbar by Morton before Alex Cunliffe had the first chance for the hosts, firing wide of the target from the edge of the area.

Phil Marsh sent a free kick arrowing inches away from goal just before half time but, wiith Leigh struggling to get a foothold in the game, United’s victory was sealed with 21 minutes remaining when substitute Jamie Baguley fired a terrific shot past Morton from just outside of the penalty area.

Such a big crowd will prove infinitely encouraging to the club but the team need to start picking up points sooner rather than later, starting with the relegation six-pointer with Worksop Town in a fixture that, with the Leigh Sports Village Stadium unavailable, is to be played at Stainton Park, the home of Radcliffe Borough, on Saturday at 3pm.

Leigh Genesis: Danny Morton, Mark Radcliffe, Kris King, Chris Page, Ben McHugh (Nia Bayunu), Nick Linford (Kyle Lambert), Steve Settle, Karl Brown, Phil Marsh, Alex Cunliffe, Dale Whitham (Sam Parkinson).