Leigh Genesis 1 Bolton Wanderers 4
By Matt Lawton
July 21 2009
Leigh Genesis suffered their first pre-season defeat of the summer with a 4-1 defeat against an impressive Bolton Wanderers side that was far more closely-contested than the scoreline first suggests.
With Genesis facing a talented Bolton side, Leigh boss Garry Flitcroft opted for a 4-5-1 formation, with former Wanderers striker Matt Jansen making his Leigh debut as the lone striker, with Jamie Baguley, Chris Baguley, Jack Dorney, Steve Settle and Steve Flitcroft making up Leigh's five man midfield.
Neighbours Bolton were 1-0 in front within five minutes of kick off, as Slovakian Zoltan Harsanyi converted Michael O'Halloran's right wing cross at the back post.
Leigh goalkeeper Stephen Drench superbly tipped over a Tope Obadeyi strike on seven minutes, only for Leigh to fall two goals behind on fourteen minutes when an O'Halloran cross was dummied in to the path of the onrushing Obadeyi to fire past Drench.
Bolton's lead became 3-0 on forty two minutes when Drench saved from Obadeyi but, in looking for an early release to spring a counter attack, was unfortunate to see his kick rebound around a succession of players before Danny Ward took advantage of the ricochet to cutely lob the ball in to the empty net.
In front of an encouraging Leigh Sports Village Stadium crowd of 1,105, Genesis pulled a goal back on fifty eight minutes when substitute Chris Thompson headed a left wing cross past Bolton goalkeeper Rob Lainton for his second goal in two pre-season outings.
Leigh were enjoying their best spell of the game and came close when young substitute Dale Whitham neatly controlled a pass before turning and delivering a shot that flew narrowly past Lainton's goal, only for before Obadeyi to score his second of the evening from the penalty spot on seventy eight minutes, sweeping the ball past substitute Dean Porter after being brought down by Leigh trialist Munroe.
Genesis' next friendly sees them visit UniBond League Division One South side Witton Albion on Saturday, before hosting local Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium next Tuesday (28th July, 7:45pm kick off).
Leigh Genesis (all used); Stephen Drench, Paul Howarth, Andy Heald, K Munroe, Jonathan Smith, Chris Baguley, Steve Settle, Steve Flitcroft, Matt Jansen, Jamie Baguley, Jack Dorney, Scott Sephton, Dean Porter, Kris King, Chris Thompson, Jordan Stepienn, Jamie Waldron, Dale Whitham, David Hill, Lee Green
Date: | Tuesday 21st July 2009 |
Venue: | Leigh Sports Village Stadium, Leigh |
Attendance: | 1,105 |
Half time: | Leigh Genesis 0 Bolton Wanderers 3 |
Competition: | Pre-season friendly |
Scorers: | |
Leigh Genesis | Chris Thompson |
Bolton Wanderers | Zoltan Harsanyi, Tope Obadeyi (2), Danny Ward |
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The one the only Samantha Teri proud Genite and secret blonde
Overall I thought we played decent football at times and created a few chances
The game against Witton will be more of an indication as to where we are at as they are on a level par with us
It's good to see around half the team playing who played together the back end of last season. We should be able to get our season off to a good start unlike last season with the whole "it will take at least 10 games for the team to start to gel" excuse everytime we failed to win a game we should have finished by half time
Quote:Leyther_Matt
That's the kind of positive thinking that makes our fanbase pretty unique!
I think a high perecentage of our fanbase is "unique" I'd even say some are, ahem "special", however I would'nt like to talk too much about them if they are'nt even in the country
Joking Im not that thick.. but yeah thats rather mmean
The one the only Samantha Teri proud Genite and secret blonde