Bamber Bridge 3 Leigh Genesis 0

LEIGH Genesis’ relegation season continued to slump towards its conclusion as Alan Kershaw’s side suffered a comprehensive defeat away to seventh-placed Bamber Bridge, writes Matt Lawton.

With brothers Nathan and Marvin McDonald unavailable and Dave Dempsey suspended, Leigh were down to the bare bones.

Coach Richard Ward started up front alongside Neil Smith, with Connor Millington’s arrival at the ground delayed, while youngster Andy Farrimond continued to deputise in goal for the injured Phil Priestley.

Both sides rattled the crossbar before Bridge took the lead after Luke Atherton was left unmarked at a corner.

After a hard-working 32 minutes, Ward was withdrawn from the action with the late arrival at the ground of Millington but it made little difference to the course of the first half as the hosts retained their one-goal lead at the break.

Bridge’s lead was doubled six minutes into the second half when a cross from the right evaded Farrimond and left Chris Marlow with the simple task of heading home.

The victory was completed on 80 minutes with an absolute screamer of a strike from Neil Reynolds.

Peter Wright struck a late penalty attempt wildly over the crossbar for Bamber.

Genesis: Andy Farrimond, Alex Grisedale, Steve Brockley, Stuart Rudd, Gary Grant, Steve Ferrigan, Richard Ward (Connor Millington 31), James Kelly, Neil Smith, Dale McDonald, Nikos Papargiri.

l Meanwhile, Genesis grabbed their first victory in 12 outings against Radcliffe Borough at Crilly Park last Tuesday, as they won 2-1.

Leigh were soon ahead from a sixth-minute goal from Nathan McDonald, the striker reacting quickly to a rebound to open the scoring.

Genesis let themselves down, conceding an equaliser just three minutes after going ahead.

Confusion between defender Stuart Rudd and keeper Andy Farrimond meant that Declan Fletcher was able to reach a loose ball first and slide the ball home.

But Marvin McDonald rescued the game for the hosts as he lashed home a 25-metre strike in the 60th minute.

Genesis: Andy Farrimond, Dale McDonald, Dave Dempsey, Steve Ferrigan, Stuart Rudd, Steve Brockley (Gary Grant 80), Marvin McDonald, Connor Millington, Neil Smith (David Webb 85), Nathan McDonald, Nikos Papargiris. Subs (not used); Alex Grisedale, Leyton Ellison, Ali Asgari.