Leigh RMI vs. Tamworth preview

By Matt Lawton
April 3 2008

Saturday afternoon sees mid-table Tamworth visit Hilton Park as RMI look to preserve their Blue Square North status with their second home victory in succession, with recent signings Cayne Hanley and David Prout looking to make their home debuts.

Tamworth arrive in Lancashire on the back of an impressive 3-2 midweek win, including a Gareth Sheldon hat-trick, at Burscough that put a huge dent in the play-off aspirations of RMI's Lancastrian rivals, ironically the next visitors to Hilton Park next Tuesday, whilst also ensuring Tamworth's safety and preventing the unlikely prospect of a second successive relegation.

The Lambs found themselves amongst the pre-season favourites for the Blue Square North title after being relegated from the Blue Square Premier last season, but the Staffordshire side have failed to live up to expectations, last weekend's 1-1 home draw with relegation-threatened Vauxhall Motors being indicative to their inconsistent form.

With midfielder Robin Gibson returning from suspension, Leigh manager Steve Bleasdale has several options in midfield, with a return for Gibson dependant on whether Bleasdale chooses to hand a debut to on-loan Southport midfielder David Prout, or keep faith with the central midfield pairing of Jonathan Goulding and Neil Carroll, impressive in recent games despite last Saturday's disappointing 3-0 defeat in the rain at fellow strugglers Hucknall Town.

The side's last met in early December last year when a goal in each half sealed a 2-0 Tamworth victory over a lacklustre RMI side, while the Lambs' last visit produced a thrilling 3-2 win for the visitors in November 2004, a second half hat trick from former Bolton Wanderers star Bob Taylor helping his side to overturn a 2-0 half time deficit, courtesy of goals from Lee Connell and Gary Williams.

As has been the case in recent matches, admission prices have been slashed, with adults being able to gain admittance for just £7, OAP's and students able to see the game for £4 while just £1 is the cost for Under 16's to get in to Hilton Park for the fixture that kicks off at 3pm.

Get yourself to Hilton Park and get behind the lads!