Barnet v. Leigh RMI preview

By Matt Lawton
December 3 2004

RMI make the long trip south to London on Saturday afternoon for a real David and Goliath clash when they face table-topping Barnet in the Conference.

Leigh boss Geoff Lutley goes in to his third game in charge of the club with a full strength side to choose from, and after having three un-named trialists training with the squad earlier this week, he refused to rule out the possibility of more new faces in the side this Saturday. Whether yet more players turning out for the Railwaymen is a good thing or not is open to question with Leigh continuing their theme of recent years with a huge turnover in players bringing an immense lack of continuity, but Lutley should get the benefit of the doubt as he tries to mould a side of his own. Hosts Barnet are flying high at the top of the league and will fancy their chances of a comfortable romp at home to rock-bottom RMI, but that's exactly what Hereford United thought last season prior to losing 1-0 at home to Leigh, so you never know in this game. The home side have several injury problems to contend with, although the sheer size of their squad means that it shouldn't pose too much of a problem, with Ian Hendon, Nicky Bailey, Simon Clist, Dwayne Lee, top scorer Giuliano Grazioli, Liam Hatch and Ben Strevens all struggling to prove their fitness.