By Matt Lawton
February 16 2009

Lee Merricks’ Genesis side has seen two players depart for pastures new after failing to claim a regular first team spot in recent weeks.

The first player to leave the club is twenty year old striker Richard Chetcuti who, after previously being linked with a move to UniBond League Division One side Warrington Town at the turn of the year, has left Leigh to join UniBond Premier League rivals Ashton United.

A product of Leigh's youth system, Chetcuti made his Leigh debut in a Conference North encounter against Vauxhall Motors in October 2007 having previously been a reserve team regular, earning England Schoolboy Under 18 honours whilst also finishing in a respectable fifth position in Sky TV's "Football Icon" icon, in association with Chelsea FC's academy in 2005.

Richard Chetcuti

In December 2008, Chetcuti's hard work was recognised with a call-up to the Malta Under 21 national side, for whom he qualifies through his Maltese father, having scored five goals in thirty nine senior Leigh appearances.

After making thirty one appearances during 2007/08, Chetcuti's 2008/09 season has been interrupted by injury, with the last of his eight league and cup appearances coming in the 2-0 defeat to Witton Albion on 26th December 2008.

Also leaving the club is nineteen year old Australian midfielder Nathan Smith, who has ended an injury-blighted spell with Leigh by joining Blue Square North side Stalybridge Celtic.

Nathan Smith

Having joined Genesis in November 2008, Smith made his debut as a substitute in the FA Trophy defeat to Cammell Laird, making his full league debut in the loss to North Ferriby United a week later. Smith leaves the club having made just four league and cup appearances but with the wish to test his talents at a higher level.

On behalf of the Leigh supporters, I'd like to thank both players for their efforts with the club and wish them the very best of luck with their new clubs.