Leigh RMI v. Exeter City preview

By Matt Lawton
February 19 2005

FA Cup heroes Exeter City make the long trip from Devon to Hilton Park this afternoon looking to boost their push for the Conference play-offs from tenth spot.

The Grecians famously drew at Old Trafford earlier this season, taking arguably one of the biggest clubs in the world to a replay at St. James' Park, which they lost 2-0, though they did wipe out their crippling £600,000 debt within the space of the 180 minutes of the two games.

9,000 City fans made the trip to the "Theatre of Dreams", and although it's unlikely that barely a tenth of that number will make the similar journey to Hilton Park, a good following is almost guaranteed, much to the delight of those in charge of RMI's worrying finances.

Steve Bleasdale's only injury worry ahead of his third game as RMI boss is Gareth Stoker, who missed Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Northwich Victoria, a defeat which has virtually condemned RMI to Conference North football next season.

Exeter are boosted wtih the return of veteran striker Steve Flack after he made his first appearance since recovering from a groin injury when he came off the bench in the 2-1 home defeat against Accrington.