Leigh RMI vs. Vauxhall Motors preview

By Matt Lawton
March 21 2007

Friday evening sees yet another chapter in RMI's fight for Conference North survival when fellow strugglers Vauxhall Motors are the visitors to Hilton Park.

With last weekend's 2-1 defeat at third bottom Redditch United, RMI are now just two points clear of the Worcestershire outfit, with Friday's visitors from the Wirral just one point ahead of RMI as the season's thrilling conclusion draws ever closer.

Leigh RMI boss Stuart Humphreys has to contend with the huge loss of inspirational goalkeeper John Lamb, who misses his first game since the 1-0 home defeat to Lancaster earlier in the season after receiving a one match ban for his sending off in the 2-1 loss at Stalybridge a fortnight ago.

While Leigh have had a mix of recent results that has summed up their entire season, with a terrific 2-1 win over Blyth being sandwiched by disappointing defeats to Barrow and Redditch, Vauxhall have failed to win in several games, dragging them in to the relegation mire having been in the play-off positions earlier in the season, with their last outing resulting in a 1-1 draw with second bottom Scarborough.

Although last season's encounter at Hilton Park ended in a 1-1 draw, Motors have become somewhat of a bogey team for RMI, having defeated the Railwaymen 2-1 at Rivacre Park on the opening day of the season, while a Terry Fearns-inspired Motors side ran out 2-1 victors at Hilton Park several years ago when RMI were still a Conference outfit.

With England's encounter with Israel taking place on Saturday evening, several non-league games have been switched to the Friday evening to avoid a fixture clash, with RMI's game kicking off at 7:45pm.