Curzon Ashton 2 Leigh Genesis 1

Leigh Genesis failed to build on their flying start to the season as they returned to the scene of last year’s FA Cup elimination, and emerged from Tameside with the same outcome after failing to overcome a well-drilled Curzon Ashton outfit.

In the only change to the starting eleven that won 3-1 at Rossendale on Saturday, former FC United of Manchester man Chris Baguley, scorer of the second goal at the weekend, lined up for his full Leigh debut, with Matt Jansen dropping to the substitutes bench.

However, it was the hosts that started on the front foot, and they had a golden chance with just six minutes on the clock when, an incident reminiscent of the scenario that saw Genesis dumped out of the FA Cup by Curzon last season, Kris King took the part of Josh Wilson from that afternoon and watched in horror as his poor backpass was latched on to by highly-rated Curzon front man Michael Norton, though luckily on this occasion Leigh goalkeeper Stephen Drench was equal to the task.

Just a minute later and the tone was set for the evening in terms of frustration from the visiting players and supporters towards the match officials when Curzon centre back Adam Jones appeared to handle the ball when challenging Jonathan Smith to a Tom Ince corner.

Leigh's frustration with the officials continued on thirteen minutes, and this time it was to have dire consequences when a cheap free kick was awarded to Curzon. A neatly-worked set piece saw the ball shifted to left back Matthew Wood, whose driven shot was deflected past Drench to put the hosts a goal ahead.

Genesis largely dominated the first half thereafter and went close when Jordan Stepien found some space in the left-hand channel, only to try to cross the ball for the advancing Baguley when it had seemed that the ex-Bury hitman had a clear view of David Carnell's goal.

After forcing a huge number of corner kicks in the latter stages of the first half, the pressure finally paid off on the stroke of half-time when Chris Baguley headed a Jack Dorney header past David Carnell for his second goal in as many games for his new club.

Just seconds in to the second half, Genesis had a gilt-edged opportunity to take the lead when Tom Ince broke clear of the defence, only to fluff his lines and roll his shot past the far post when one-on-one with Carnell.

That proved to be a huge wake up call for the hosts, and as their midfield began to dominate the game, they looked the more likely to regain the lead. First Drench did superbly to produce a diving save from Chris Worsley after Jack Dorney had been dispossessed, only for the ex-Blackburn goalkeeper to be beaten at his near post with a little over twenty minutes remaining when Worsley, who had previously been lucky to remain on the field after a first half scuffle with Andy Heald, beat Chris Page to a right wing cross and flick the ball in to the net.

Genesis boss Garry Flitcroft introduced Jansen, Dale Whitham and Scott Sephton from the bench in an attempt to redress the balance, and even though centre back Jonathan Smith finished the game by joining Baguley and Jordan Stepien in attack, Leigh were left to rue failing to gain control of the midfield area and instead reflect on a deserved victory for the hosts.

Saturday afternoon (22nd August, 3pm) sees the Leigh Sports Village Stadium host it's first league game of the season when Leeds-based outfit Garforth Town are the visitors, before a trip up the M6 to face Lancaster City next Tuesday (25th August, 7.45pm kick off).

Leigh Genesis; Stephen Drench, Paul Howarth (Scott Sephton), Kris King, Chris Page (Dale Whitham), Jonathan Smith, Andy Heald, Jack Dorney (Matt Jansen), Steve Flitcroft, Chris Baguley, Jordan Stepien, Tom Ince