Sing yer hearts out for t'lads!

By Tom Owen
April 26 2006

29th April 2006, Leigh RMI versus Northwich Victoria - will it be the end for the Leigh boys? It could all boil down to Saturday. With RMI in danger of two relegations in as many seasons, will RMI be able to carry on if the unthinkable happens?

Myself and a few other lads are willing to try and get behind the lads for the final game and try and lift them to heights they've never reached before - it's a tall order but one that can surely be achieved?

RMI have been through hell and back in the past few seasons. Last season was comfortably the worst; 3 managers and a total around 72 players pulling on the Leigh crest in just one season, eventually finishing bottom of the table, not even an ounce of pride left.

A new summer shake up begin this term new players and a new coach. After an encouraging start with home wins against Stalybridge and Hinckley, Hilton Park was becoming a hard place to come, while winning at Redditch on the opening day providing the perfect start. That soon drifted and it went back to the same old lose, lose, and lose again. Losing game after game and dropping points as the rot set in.

The big downfall has landed us in this position again although in recent years we would have already been down by this point - at least now we have a chance of staying up. RMI have only themselves to blame if they do go down. Losing points late on, for example the 1-1 draw at home to Hyde, conceding in the last minute, and again last weekend, 2-0 up looking towards safety and again in the last 10 minutes leak 2 goals and drop a vital 2 points. Added to that misery, RMI were docked one point for the error surrounding RMI keeper John Lamb and his loan move to Bradford Park Avenue, a mistake that could still cost RMI their Conference North status.

If that mistake hadn't been made, Leigh would have been 1 point ahead of rivals Redditch and would have been nearly safe, but now are back level on points and with a shocking goal difference the pressure is really on for the lads.

Our only hope is now that, with the championship in the bag, Northwich will ease off and play the kids if RMI are to have any chance of staying up. One thing is for sure, the noise shall be loud at Hilton Park this weekend. Northwich fans in a party atmosphere and the few RMI faithful getting behind their side full-whack. Will it pay off? Only time will tell.

Bring on Saturday!

Tom.