AFC Darwen 2 Leigh Genesis 3
By Matt Lawton
July 18 2009
Leigh Genesis began their pre-season programme with a routine victory over a dogged AFC Darwen side, with brothers Chris and Jamie Baguley instrumental in their first Leigh appearances since joining the club from FC United of Manchester.
Leigh Genesis began their pre-season programme with a routine victory over a dogged AFC Darwen side, with brothers Chris and Jamie Baguley instrumental in their first Leigh appearances since joining the club from FC United of Manchester.
On a blustery afternoon in the Lancastrian hills, Genesis boss Garry Flitcroft fielded a strong starting line up, with Stephen Drench in goal and Chris Thompson partnering Jordan Stepien in attack.
With wingers Jack Dorney and Jamie Baguley particularly lively, Leigh began on the front foot but with little success against a resolute AFC Darwen defence. It wasn't until the fifteen minute mark that Leigh took the lead when Jamie Baguley played a delightful through ball for brother Chris to curl past the onrushing goalkeeper.
That lead was quickly doubled when the former FC United pair linked up again, as Jamie's right wing free kick was cheekily flicked past the goalkeeper at the near post by Chris.
By the twenty-fifth minute mark, Leigh had built up a 3-0 lead when Jordan Stepien's cross was headed in by Chris Thompson at the back post, before the hosts pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with a little over fifteen minutes of the first half remaining.
As is often the pattern in pre-season games, the second half saw a large number of substitutions both sides as the respective managers look to build up the fitness of their squads, with the likes of Steve Settle, David Hill, Dean Porter, Richmond Botchey and Dale Whitham all getting run outs for Leigh.
Although Stepien went within inches of a fourth Leigh goal with a speculative twenty five yard shot, the only goal of the half went to Darwen with ten minutes remaining when a wonderful twenty five yard strike went in to Porter's top scorer.
The result sees Leigh get their pre-season campaign off to a winning start, and provide a worthwhile warm-up ahead of the visit of Bolton Wanderers to the Leigh Sports Village Stadium this Tuesday evening (21st July, 7:45pm).
Leigh Genesis (all used); Stephen Drench, Paul Howarth, Kris King, Byis Samba, Jonathan Smith, Andy Heald, Jack Dorney, Chris Baguley, Chris Thompson, Jordan Stepien, Jamie Baguley, Steve Settle, Richmond Botchey, Dale Whitham, Dean Porter, Scott Sephton, Lee Green, Jamie Waldron
AFC DARWEN 2 LEIGH GENESIS 3 | |
Date: | Saturday 18th July 2009 |
Venue: | Anchor Ground, Darwen, Lancashire |
Attendance: | - |
Half time: | AFC Darwen 1 Leigh Genesis 3 |
Competition: | Pre-season friendly |
Scorers: | |
AFC Darwen | unknown |
Leigh Genesis | Chris Baguley (2), Chris Thompson |
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Good win then. Looking forward to Tuesday.
LG-SA.co.uk