Leigh RMI 1 Everton 1

By Matt Lawton
July 30 2003

A much improved RMI performance following Wednesday night's 3-0 home defeat to Bury saw them deservedly impressive draw against a young but talented Everton side.

The match was even throughout and during the first half although Everton went close on a few occasions, if anyone was the better side it was RMI as they consistently created chances against their more illustrious opponents.

Although Leigh were having the better of the game, it was the visitors who took the lead when Toffees captain Leon Osman, one of those in the Everton side with considerable Premiership experience, picked up the ball just inside the RMI half before running 15 yards, cutting inside and hitting a superb shot into the corner of Ian Martin's goal.

Everton were buoyed by their goal and certainly picked up the pace, similar in the way to Bury did on Wednesday night. However on this occasion RMI's defence stayed firm and didn't cave in and the score remained at 1-0 to the Toffees at half time.

Leigh came out for the second half determined to get back into the game and they forced the Everton goalkeeeper into a series of good saves and forced a succession of corners as they looked to make the breakthrough.

RMI finally got their deserved equaliser when an Andy Heald free kick was headed home by former Stalybridge Celtic striker Ged Courtney, who started the game on the substitutes bench. Leigh could've even snatched a winner late on when midfielder Ged Kielty smashed a superb shot from outside the area against the crossbar and then Wayne Maden went close with a twenty-five yarder.

There was a moment of fun with barely five minutes remaining when, as promised, MP for Leigh Andy Burnham, ironically an Everton supporter, entered the fray as RMI's new striker. Although he showed a lot of determination, I think he'd better stick to the day job.

The Leigh performance certainly improved the moods of the RMI supporters who had witnessed Wednesday's poor display and has again instilled positive hope amongst the Hilton Park faithful, which they will carry into the game when another Premiership outfit to Hilton Park, with RMI facing Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.