After progressing in the FA Trophy last weekend, Leigh Genesis are back in UniBond Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when they make the short journey to Cheshire to face struggling Witton Albion and their multitude of ex-Leigh players at Wincham Park.
With former Leigh manager Andy Nelson currently the assistant boss at Wincham Park, Witton boast no less than twelve former Leigh players in their ranks, headed by recent Hilton Park heroes Steve Settle and Scott Willis.
Unfortunately, Settle, who made thirty five appaearnces for Leigh last season, has recently been struggling with injury and as such is unlikely to have the chance to face his former side. However, that certainly doesn't mean there won't be several ex-Leigh players on show with the aforementioned Willis being joined by Ben Lenders, Tony Dunne, Steve Smith, ex-Prescot Cables striker Lee Thompson, Mark Drew, Kieran Lugsden, Ross Thaker, Neil Smith, Gary Scott and Israeli winger Michael Warwick, who only recently signed for Albion.
Despite coming within a whisker of promotion to the Blue Square North last season, Witton have endured a torrid start to the season, winning just three times in thirteen games, with Tuesday's 2-0 reverse at Nantwich Town being Albion's sixth successive league reverse.
Strangely, Leigh's last visit to Wincham Park wasn't actually for a fixture with Witton as neighbours Northwich Victoria shared the ground for a period whilst waiting for their new Vcoria Stadium home to be finished.
In a fixture that was originally played on New Years' Day 2005 but abandoned at half-time because of adverse weather conditions, with Peter Band and Paul Brayson scoring the Vics goals in April 2005 against a Leigh side that had already been relegated from the Nationwide Conference.
With recent injury worries Matt Berkeley and Jerome Watt both returning to action in the 1-0 FA Trophy win at Harrogate Railway Athletic last weekend, Genesis manager Steve Bleasdale has a full-strength side to choose from as his side go in search of a victory that could ultimately elevate Leigh to the fringes of the play-offs.
Kick off is at 3pm at Wincham Park, with places still available on the Leigh Genesis Supporters Association coach to the game; e-mail info@lg-sa.co.uk for more details.
Lee Thompson? he couldnt even get into first team at cables let alone albion. I hope he starts on saturday. Also matt wasnt jerome watt on the side lines at railway? dont think he played.
Can't actually remember to tell the truth about Watt, you've put doubt in my mind now. Should teach me to check my own notes!
Quite what Albion see in Thompson, I don't know, but you could say the same about a few players on that list - wasn't Neil Smith struggling to get a spot in Warrington's team a few years ago?!
yah feel sorry for chets full time player and not getting played i know hes been injured but just leaving him on the bench for games isnt doing the lad any good, and hes a very dangerous player when on form
Can only imagine he's had a recurrence of his injury since he came on at Marine? Very capable player who should get more game time than he currently enjoys, I reckon.
Richard is out for a while and has been, due to injury to his ankle and bottom of his shin bone we have had it scanned and waiting for results to see if there is real serious damage. We have a number of injuries ahead of tomorow and i am on the look out for some favours in the game with some talented freebies if you knpw what i mean next week. I would love to have a full squad to choose from and i dont think this season i have had the luxury of that, but hey we motor on and get on with it, see yas tomorrow, bleo
not been a good season for chets thus far, hope he makes a quick recovery. and as always bleo thankyou for answering questions. who you waiting on for tomorrows game and does that mean you are looking for a few loan signings to come in
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