Exeter City v. Leigh RMI preview

By Matt Lawton
March 26 2004

RMI's quest for Nationwide Conference survival takes them to Devon on Saturday afternoon when they face former Football League outfit Exeter City.

RMI boss Phil Starbuck missed out on making any signings on deadline day yesterday, but has a virtual full-strength side to choose from.

The only absentee is player-coach Gary Kelly, with the former Oldham Athletic and Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper still nursing the broken finger which he suffered in the 5-0 defeat at Nationwide Conference leaders Chester City on Boxing Day of last year, meaning Australian goalkeeper Ian Martin will continue in goal.

RMI will be looking to build on last week's chaotic 1-1 draw with Telford United at a gale-swept Hilton Park when they make the long trip to Exeter, and every point is vital as they look to make a 'great escape'. RMI are eleven point away from nineteenth-placed Halifax Town and safety and time is running out, but hope springs eternal, and should circumstances turn out in RMI's favour, they could stay in the non-league elite even if they finish twentieth, which normally would've meant relegation. However, four points are still required to make that climb to the final spot in the bottom three, but with a game in hand on rivals Farnborough, RMI will be confident of success.

The sides met earlier in the season at Hilton Park and an excellent performance from the hosts meant that the visitors were lucky to escape with a point, on the Saturday immediately following the superb performance in the 2-2 Hilton Park midweek draw with Exeter's fellow relegated outfit, Shrewsbury Town.

The hosts are set to be boosted by the return of defender Santos Gaia after he missed the 3-2 win at Scarborough, while top scorer Sean Devine is available after the former Barnet striker recovered from a groin injury, and he is joined in the squad by target man Steve Flack who has recovered from a virus.

Good luck to the Leythers!