RMI's demolishing job a 'pleasure to watch'

LEIGH RMI romped to their fifth league victory in six games since the dawn of the New Year, demolishing Middlesex outfit Hayes at Hilton Park.

Steve Waywell enthused that his side were a "pleasure to watch" after watching them bag their 10th goal in two home games following the 6-2 trouncing of Nuneaton Borough. That they certainly were, but the Railwaymen needed a touch of luck to open the scoring on 20 minutes en route to seventh position.

Dominic Sterling allowed the ball to squirm agonisingly through his legs on the edge of the penalty area, was dispossessed by Steve Jones, and the rapid winger rounded Paul Gothard to side-foot into the empty net.

It was evidence of reasons why Hayes have the worst goal difference in the Conference, but they should have scored themselves in the third minute when Mark Preston volleyed over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Furthermore, Dave Stevens - Hayes scorer when the two sides met in October - almost upset the visitors when he stole in behind the defence and tested Felgate's agility from 12 yards, the ex-Bolton goalkeeper pulling off a fine save.

The creativity shown by both sides was well represented in the ever increasing amounts of space available, and it was only a matter of time before a second Leigh goal was forthcoming. Ged Kielty's corner found Jones in acres of space at the far post, and his drive was turned in by defender Iain Swan for his first goal of the season.

Threatening

Still, Hayes, and Stevens in particular were threatening Felgate's goal, with the midfielder curling a menacing 20-yard shot wide of the target , but manager Terry Brown was incensed when he saw substitute Brendan Gallen sent off 21 minutes from time for a second bookable offence - his second crime being a cynically late challenge on Ian Monk.

Leigh went on to punish a demoralised visiting side with the kind of ruthless efficiency that has become expected of them of late. Monk's precise centre was suitably punished by Kielty, whose volley went in via a post and a moment later, the exhibition football continued as Jones was released by Robert Trees and tucked away his 13th league goal of the season to finish the rout.

It could have been worse. Dave Ridings had struck the underside of the crossbar with a menacing first half free-kick as Leigh more than entertained a disappointing crowd of 414.

Assistant manager Dave Miller was overjoyed with the performance." We have scored 10 in the last two weeks and looking at the chances that we have made for ourselves, it could have been 20! We were attacking for fun after Hayes lost a man, and with one or two players going for goal themselves when better options were available, we could have racked up double figures. We have a decent set of lads here who were excellent once again today."

Leigh will now travel to the Crabble, home of Dover Athletic, on Saturday for the longest trip of their Nationwide Conference season with unparalleled confidence having lost only three of their last 15 matches in all competitions on the road.