Woodley Sports 2 Leigh Genesis 1

Leigh appeared in the UniBond President’s Cup for the first time in almost a decade, but they were to fall at the first hurdle in surrendering a 1-0 half-time lead to lose at league rivals Woodley Sports.

Having been without a game in the ten days that have passed since the 2-1 league defeat at AFC Fylde, Genesis boss Garry Flitcroft fielded a surprisingly strong side, though experimenting with winger Tom Ince operating as a full back, while right back David Gbemie returned to the side for the first time since having to withdraw just minutes in to his Leigh debut in last month's defeat at FC Halifax Town.

The home side started in determined mood, and had their first glimpse of goal after just seven minutes when striker Gavin Salmon, a former Leigh cult hero, was denied by a low save from Stephen Drench, who had to be quick to react to a long distance strike that appeared to be heading straight for the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Playing on an artificial pitch that undoubtedly provided slightly different playing conditions to their usual fixtures, Leigh slowly began to get a grip of the game, with Chris Baguley perhaps disappointed not to have done better than drag his shot wide of the target on thirteen minutes after Matt Jansen had played the ball through to him. Only two minutes later and Leigh were denied by an excellent save from the goalkeeper, tipping a fierce Andy Heald strike around the post for a corner after the ball had broken to the Leigh midfield veteran.

With twenty four minutes on the clock, Leigh managed to take the lead when Chris Baguley managed to beat his man on the right hand side and cross for brother Jamie, who didn't get a clean connection on his strike, but managed enough power to divert the ball past a wrong-footed goalkeeper.

Jordan Stepien went close just a couple of minutes in to the second half, forcing a save that the goalkeeper was relieved to retain at the second attempt after a promising run on goal. However, Stepien pulled up with a slight injury shortly afterwards and was replaced by Dale Whitham, while Jack Dorney was brought on for Jamie Baguley, with the two changes appearing to cause a little confusion in the Leigh ranks and allow the hosts back in to the game.

Woodley took that chance on fifty six minutes, although it was in rather fortunate circumstances from their point of view when the referee dismissed appeals from the home side for a penalty after Steve Flitcroft had tangled with a man in the area, only for the linesman to attract the attention of the referee to what he saw as an infringement, with Salmon sweeping home the resultant spot kick against his old club.

Chris Baguley went close for Leigh after latching on to a Jansen through ball and turning smartly on the ball to create enough shooting space, only for his curling effort to be comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.

Woodley's progress to the next round of a competition that only applies to UniBond League First Division sides was sealed on eighty four minutes when Danny Queeley broke through the Leigh defence in a determined run before hammering the ball past Drench for the winner.

Genesis forced a couple of corners late on, but it wasn't to be their night, and they will now have to pick themselves up ahead of Saturday's testing trip to Southern Premier side Atherstone Town in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round.

Leigh Genesis; Stephen Drench, David Gbemie, Tom Ince, Mark Ross, Chris Page, Jamie Baguley (Jack Dorney), Jordan Stepien (Dale Whitham), Steve Flitcroft, Chris Baguley, Matt Jansen (Chris Thompson), Andy Heald