Trafford vs. Leigh Genesis preview
By Matt Lawton
August 1 2008
Less than 48 hours after securing a 1-0 victory away at Lancaster City, Leigh Genesis travel to Shawe View on Saturday afternoon to take on another UniBond League Division One North side in the shape of Trafford, managed by Leigh RMI legend Ged Kielty.
This season marks Trafford's first campaign in the UniBond League after they won the Vodkat North West Counties League Division One title last season, and they will be looking for another successful team following a successful pre-season programme that has brought 2-1 and 3-1 home victories over Southport and Witton Albion respectively.
Aged just 31, Ged Kielty doubles up as Trafford midfielder and manager, someone who will always be remembered fondly by Leigh supporters after he made more than 100 league appearances for the club at the start of the decade, an integral part of Steve Waywell's side that finished 5th in the Nationwide Conference during the 2000/2001 season.
Ged Kielty; real Leyther hero
With the trip to Shawe View being Leigh's penultimate pre-season game, Genesis manager Steve Bleasdale is likely to choose a strong side as he builds towards the opening day of the UniBond Premier League season on Saturday August 16th when the Leythers travel to Eastwood Town.
Bleasdale has a wealth of talent to choose from, with Mark Smyth likely to have another chance to impress as he aims to earn a second spell with Leigh; only Jordan Stepien likely to miss the game through injury because of a hamstring strain.
The game is likely to provide a particularly stern test for Leigh Genesis, with the travelling support likely to prove a big boost if they are in good voice.
Admission is £6 for adults, £3 for concessions with kick off at 3pm.