Trafford 2 Leigh Genesis 1
By Matt Lawton
August 2 2008
In what could certainly be summed up by the old footballing cliché of ‘a game of two halves’, Leigh Genesis suffered only their second defeat of the summer, losing 2-1 in a sometimes tempestuous encounter with UniBond League Division One side Trafford.
After defeating Lancaster City 1-0 on Thursday night, a victory more comfortable than the scoreline would suggest, Leigh Genesis made the short journey to Shawe View on a bright day, typical of British summertime with a series of heavy downpours.
On a particularly impressive playing surface that was almost reminiscent of the golf course that is adjacent to the football ground, both sides showed a determination to pass the ball wherever possible rather than resort to aimless long balls.
Such a philosophy was perfectly illustrated on 25 minutes when Leigh centre back Jerome Fitzgerald played the ball in to the feet of Genesis front man Darren Mansaram on the edge of the penalty area.
The former Bohemians striker still had plenty of work to do with his back to goal, but he produced a delightful turn that saw him gain the extra half-yard of space that he needed to tuck the ball neatly past the goalkeeper and put the visitors in front.
The Trafford goalkeeper wasn't to be beaten on the next occasion that he was tested, doing well to keep hold of Jerome Watt strike after the Leigh winger had done well to turn on the ball outside of the penalty area and create the opportunity.
With summer signing Jordan Stepien already on the sidelines with a persistent hamstring injury, Leigh manager Steve Bleasdale suffered another blow when midfielder Josh Wilson picked up a knock and had to be replaced midway through the first half by Jonathan Goulding.
Since signing for the club following an impressive trial spell, Jerome Watt has been a consistent performer for Leigh, and he slid through an inch-perfect ball behind the Trafford defence that was latched on to by Mark Smyth, who's shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper.
Though the hosts continued to try and maintain their footballing ideals, it was Leigh that were creating all of the chances, Mansaram coming with a whisker of doubling his tally for the afternoon when curling a ball inches wide of the post before Smyth was denied by an alert defender who cleared a goalbound shot after the former Liverpool and Bangor City striker had done well to dribble around the goalkeeper.
The first half finished in the way that most of it had been played out with Leigh again coming close, Fitzgerald seeing his free kick from the edge of the penalty area dip narrowly over the crossbar.
The second period began in much the same vein, Mansaram being denied by a brave block on the edge of the six yard box after he'd shown some neat footwork inside the area, having already done well to beat one man on the edge of the box.
However, having dominated so much of the game before it, Leigh were pegged back in the second half when a cross from the right hand channel was tucked away past substitute Genesis goalkeeper Steve Dickinson.
So soon after conceding the equaliser, it was important for Leigh that they tried to gain a foothold in the game again, but they fell behind not long afterwards when Paul Booth was controversially adjudged to have fouled an opposing player when challenging for a header, the resultant free kick proving to be a terrific shot that left Dickinson with no chance, rebounding off the post and in to the net.
Brad Maylett had a rare chance for Leigh when he raced on to a long through ball and chipped the ball just over the bar, but the hosts were largely dictating the second half and almost scored a third when, after some excellent play at wide, they struck the foot of Dickinson's right hand post.
The final stages of the game saw Genesis lay siege to the Trafford goal in a desperate search for an equaliser, but it was to no avail as they suffered their second pre-season defeat ahead of Tuesday night's final pre-season game away to Salford City.
Leigh Genesis (all used); Tim Dittmer, Bradley Maylett, Alex Mortimer, Paul Booth, Rob Marsh-Evans, Jerome Fitzgerald, Jerome Watt, Chris Holland, Mark Smyth, Darren Mansaram, Josh Wilson, Richard Chetcuti, Karl O'Donnell, Jonathan Goulding, Steve Dickinson, Thomas Moore, Danny Penswick
What formation(s) did we use in the game? Personally don't like the 3.5.2, not a non league formation, as the wing backs are a dying breed in football.
Worried by how long it seems to be taking for the centre backs to adjust to playing in a back three but we were pretty much out-battled and out-enthused in the second half.
As stated before, we had very little up front in the second half. Not for the first time, we seemed to be lacking in ideas once Mansaram went off.
LG-SA.co.uk
I wouldn't mind Bleo trying a 4-4-2 diamond with Chetcutti behind the front 2 on Tuesday, just for a half maybe to see how it works.
you lot need to calm down, it's only pre season and we can already smell the fear
I think we are lacking another Mansaram-type figure, but then again I think with two quick forwards we'd able to play around a lot of sides rather than looking for a knock down etc
When we've got a full strength attack, I don't think many teams will be able to cope with us; it's the defence that I'm worried about as I doubt I'll ever be convinced about playing wing backs, especially at this level.
LG-SA.co.uk
Reckon we missed Field today though.
LG-SA.co.uk
LG-SA.co.uk
LG-SA.co.uk
LG-SA.co.uk
LG-SA.co.uk