By Matt Lawton
December 25 2004

RMI welcome perennial relegation rivals Northwich to Hilton Park tomorrow for the annual Festive clash between the sides, with both of them looking to take advantage of the others poor position and claw back some ground in the race for Conference safety. Last week's 2-0 defeat at Aldershot, a small improvement on the previous week's 6-0 home defeat to Lancashire rivals Accrington Stanley, saw defender Mark Drew sent off for the second time this season, with the youngster the recipient of a four match ban as a result, ruling him out of the vital Festive period with plenty of points up for grab that RMI will have to take advantage of if they are to make any sort of decent attempt to claw their way back up the table.

Recent signing Jan Soszynski is still waiting to make his debut after RMI boss Geoff Lutley signed him as goalkeeping back-up for fellow Australian Ian Martin, while former Scarborough striker Karl Rose is still ruled out following his long over-due ankle operation.

The visitors are boosted with the return from suspension of Jonathan Allen while Jon McCarthy and Peter Handyside face late fitness tests although they are likely to take the field at some time on Boxing Day.

Vics are still without Greg Young, and Neil Briscoe has now returned to Rochdale after his loan spell expired.

It's been a white Christmas in Leigh although not much of the snow has "stuck" as of yet so there shouldn't be too much danger of the game being postponed, hopefully RMI can get a late Christmas gift of three points.