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Leigh RMI v Barnet
Nationwide Conference
Saturday 16 February 3.00pm

Updated 15/02/02

Leigh are another side that haven't been consistent this season. Back in September they went to Dagenham & Redbridge coming away with 3 points after winning 1-0, this was followed by two 3-0 victories over Chester and Farnborough, both at home, then for the rest of the season it's been win a couple, lose a couple with the odd draw thrown in.

On 13th October last year they came to Underhill for one of those draws, 1-1 with Arber getting the Bees goal in front of 1,472 fans.

Just lately though they seem to have got a winning streak going (always the case when we play someone!), with three wins on the trot over Telford at home 3-1, Northwich Victoria away 3-0 and Hereford away 1-0 last Saturday. This did follow a 0-5 drubbing by Southport though!

How will Barnet come out of this challenge is anybody's guess, with Midgley's scrambled goal on Saturday the only League goal since 15th December down at Dover. Strange team selections and predictable football haven't helped the cause, and a real shake up is required if we aren't going to drop down another league for the second year in a row.

A worrying thought is we are only seven points off relegation and the players heads have already dropped lower than this time last year.

(ED - That was so depressing - how about 'the lads are going to stick six past Leigh on Saturday and shut the "Still-out"ers up!')

Updated 15/02/02

Leigh boss Steve Waywell expects to have a fully-fit squad for the home game against Barnet. Dave Ridings is the only injury doubt after he took a kick to the calf during the 1-0 win at Hereford. But Waywell said: ‘I think Dave will be OK. He would have been struggling if we’d played in midweek.’

John Still has only one absentee for the long trip north to face Leigh RMI. Still has an injury-free squad but must cope without the services of midfielder John Doolan. Doolan must serve a one-match suspension after being shown his fifth yellow card of the season.

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Below is Barnet and Leigh RMI league details based on their Home and Away performances.

Leigh RMI's highest ever defeat was 2-9 v Brandon Utd at home FA Cup 1998/99. Steve Jones (last seasons top scorer) was sold for a record fee of £75,000 to Crewe Alexander last year.

Leigh RMI's history goes back to 1896 when a team named Horwich RMI was formed, having strong links with the Railway Mechanics Institute.

The early part of the 20th century saw them playing in the West Lancashire League and on promotion in 1915, the Lancashire Combination.

They were fairly successful in the 1950's, winning the combination cup twice and the league once.
In 1968 they turned down the chance of playing in the Northern Premier League opting for the Cheshire League instead.

After a bad start to the 70's they won the League and Challenge Shield in the 78/79 season, going on to qualify for the North West Counties League in 81/82.

Two seasons later, after finishing third, they were accepted into the Northern Premier League.

1994/95 saw them leave their Grundy Hill home, which sloped from corner to corner and moved to the 8,000 capacity Hilton Park. Unfortunately they finished bottom of the league and the Football Association agreed a name change to Leigh RMI.

After a season in Division One they were promoted after finishing second. This was the start of their rise to glory. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, holding Fulham to a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage, losing the sold out replay back at home.

The Northern Premier League was finally conquered in the 99/00 season with 92 points and gained promotion to the Conference.

Against the odds they finished fifth, after many had tipped them to return back to the Unibond.

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