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Season Review; Part Two

By Matt Lawton May 2 2008
As the boredom of a long pre-season begins to kick in (already!), we take a look back at an eventual second half of the season as Steve Bleasdale's Leigh RMI side bid farewell to not only the Blue Square North, but also their famous Hilton Park home.
Early February saw RMI defy their lowly league position with a terrific performance at play-off challengers Hyde United earning a credible 1-1 draw after a delightful Mark Smyth lob put the Railwaymen in front, who might have won the game late on had Richard Chetcuti's shot not rebounded against the foot of Craig Dootson's left hand post.

As had been the case throughout much of the season, Leigh failed to build on such an encouraging performance and, after again failing to hold on to a lead after Gavin Salmon's early strike, lost 3-1 to Gainsborough Trinity before being blown away by a first half Burscough onslaught, being 4-0 down at half-time in an eventual 5-2 defeat Victoria Park.

A 2-1 home defeat to Barrow, despite Mark Smyth's late "Goal of the Season" free kick, was followed in early March by ten man RMI's interest in the Co-Operative Challenge Trophy being ended with a 4-0 defeat at Lancastrian rivals Southport.

A vital relegation battle at Hinckley United saw RMI plunged further in to the relegation mire with a 3-1 defeat at the Marston's Stadium, though they were boosted with a fully deserved 1-0 victory over Alfreton Town the following week, Bradley Maylett scoring for the second consecutive week on a blustery day at Hilton Park.

Once again, an encouraging performance that saw a snow-bound 0-0 draw at promotion chasing Harrogate Town, was followed by a heavy defeat as RMI came unstuck in another relegation battle, losing 3-0 at Hucknall Town, who gained revenge for their early season revenge.

Remarkably, despite their league position, the much changed RMI side, who would use a staggering total of sixty players throughout the season, were enjoying an increase in support, both in terms of numbers and noise, at home and away games, with a vocal crowd witnessing a 0-0 home draw with Tamworth that could quite easily have been all three points.

Arguably RMI's finest hour of the season came on April 8th as Hilton Park and the Channel M cameras witnessed an incredible encounter as visitors Burscough were reduced to eight man in a breathless Lancashire derby, with Rob Marsh-Evans and Cayne Hanley scoring the goals that signaled delirium on the terraces and a 2-1 Leigh victory, with ex-RMI defender Neil Fitzhenry amongst those to be given their marching orders after a series shocking tackles on Leigh striker Richard Chetcuti.

As was the case with virtually every other victory throughout the course of the season, RMI failed to build upon it as they were officially relegated with a 2-1 loss at Gainsborough Trinity, though the club were complemented on the impeccable behaviour of their mass following, who were constant in their support of Steve Bleasdale's side.
With their place in next season's UniBond Premier League confirmed, RMI meekly lost 1-0 at home to Worcester City before a 2-0 defeat at Southport, thanks to two goals worthy of gracing a much higher level, brought RMI's tour of the Blue Square North to the end, before the curtain was brought down on Hilton Park with a 2-0 defeat to Blyth Spartans; the result being the least important factor of an emotional day as both sets of fans enjoyed a summery final day of the season.

RMI's Blue Square North tenure may be over, but next season's UniBond Premier League campaign heralds the start of an exciting new era, with the club due to move to their dazzling new home at the Leigh Sports Village in time for the start of what will hopefully be a promotion-challenging season.

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