Leigh RMI v. Stevenage Borough preview
Stevenage
By Matt Lawton
February 13 2004
Stevenage Borough make the long trip to South Lancashire on Saturday afternoon to face RMI in a vital Nationwide Conference game, complete with a former RMI hero in their ranks.
Tunisian striker Dino Maamria returns to the ground where he became a hero to face his former club, and he will be desperate to put one over on his ex-team mates, whom he left towards the end of last season. Maamria (pictured below) returns to the 'Boro side after missing last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Telford United because of a suspension.
Stevenage defender Barry Laker is back in training with the side after returning from an injury but he is unlikely to be fit in time in order to face the Railwaymen.
RMI boss Phil Starbuck has no new injury worries to contend with, and midfielders Carl Rezai and Wayne Maden are both available for selection, despite being sent off in last weekend’s thrilling 4-3 defeat at relegation rivals Tamworth.
However, Starbuck has to counter the loss of former Southport full back Chris Lane, who departed Hilton Park earlier in the week to sign a one month loan deal with Nationwide Conference leaders Chester City, though Starbuck does have the benefit of defender Jamie Heard and former Sunderland striker Steve Brodie heading in the opposite direction, and both will be keen to be involved in tomorrow’s encounter.
With the visitors in the chasing pack on the fringes of the Conference play-offs, ‘Boro will be desperate for the full compliment of points, but with time running out with alarming speed before the end of the season, RMI will be looking to quickly make up the seven point gap between them and safety.