Garforth Town 3 Leigh Genesis 1

ALAN Kershaw’s Leigh Genesis side suffered another blow in their fight to stay in the Evo-Stik Division One North as they fell at the hands of 13th-placed Garforth Town on Tuesday, writes Matt Lawton.

It has been a torrid start to the new year for Genesis, who must still be suffering the after effects of the 8-0 thrashing at home to Witton Albion two weeks ago.

Five points adrift at the bottom of the league, Leigh will need a dramatic turnaround in order to stay in the division and this will have to begin against eighth-placed Lancaster City at Crilly Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Garforth dominated the game from the first whistle, keeping possession and repeatedly threatening the Leigh defence, who did well to keep the hosts at bay.

But this couldn’t last forever and on 29 minutes the home side grabbed the lead, when Priestley’s shot was parried only as far as Ben Small, who tucked away the chance to open the scoring.

Genesis had little to do in front of goal throughout the match, but managed to score a wonderful equaliser on the stroke of half time, as James Kelly lashed home from outside of the area.

Garforth turned up the pressure in the second half and had the game in the bag after two goals in two minutes.

First Walker showed great composure to wrong-foot a defender before calmly finishing past Priestley in the Leigh goal, before Small’s side-foot finish into the top corner sealed the win for the home side.

Genesis were indebted to Priestley in the final half an hour, with only his heroics in goal saving them from another demoralising thrashing. Leigh must improve if they are to give themselves any hope to staying in the division.