Leigh RMI vs. AFC Telford United preview

By Matt Lawton
December 7 2007

After a disappointing 2-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Tamworth last weekend, Steve Bleasdale's Leigh RMI side will be hoping for an improved performance on Saturday afternoon when promotion hopefuls AFC Telford United are the visitors to Hilton Park.

Formed out of the ashes of Telford United, RMI's one-time Conference adversaries, AFC Telford have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the non-league ranks since their formation, finding themselves inside the play-off places in their first season in Blue Square North after winning promotion from the Unibond Premier League last season.

With this season marking AFC's first campaign at this level, it marks the 'new' clubs first and last league visit to Hilton Park, although the previous Telford club survived gale force winds and a Martyn Lancaster equaliser to claim a 1-1 draw on their final visit to Leigh in March 2004.

While RMI were falling to defeat at the Lamb Ground last weekend, Telford managed a 3-1 home victory over Blyth Spartans that lifts them in to fifth place in the league table, despite a recent 4-0 thrashing at Barrow.

Since their reformation, Telford have enjoyed a massive increase in support and as such are expected to bring a large following to Hilton Park - it is up to the Leigh public to make themselves heard on Saturday afternoon and give their backing to the side as the season enters a particularly vital stage.