|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Sunday, 30 April 2006 |
|
Peter Wilson reports on VICS last game of a memorable season: Leigh RMI 2 v 1 Vics Around 500 Vics fans turned up at Hilton Park to celebrate their team's success with what appeared to be the prospects of another stylish victory. Yet the outcome proved to be someway removed from reality as Vics mustered no better than a lack lustre performance and they eventually got from the game what their performance deserved.....nothing!!! All the early indications showed that Leigh were more determined than Vics to secure the maximum points available, a win giving the home side the chance of avoiding relegation for the second consecutive season. Leigh looked more determined from the start and Willis and Gary Williams both lifted early opportunities over the bar. Jonny Allan then wasted what was to prove to be Vics best chance of the entire game when he was set clear on goal but his attempted lob of the advancing keeper was all too easily gathered. Leigh continued to work hard and created another opportunity in the 19th minute when Stoker set Gary Williams clear on goal but Charnock replied with the kind of quality defending and tackle that has become synonymous with the England international defender, eventually winning a goal kick from what had been a potentially goal scoring situation. Smith had a shot deflected narrowly wide before the home side took the lead in the most unpredictable of circumstances. Former Vics midfielder Scott WILLIS gained possession down the left channel and floated a seemingly harmless shot cum cross toward goal leaving Ben Connett the most elementary of saves to make but the Vics keeper's only response appeared to be a last moments half hearted jump that only succeeded in the keeper watching embarrassingly as the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. Worse ought to have followed following a misjudged cross field pass from Chapman that left Battersby exposed and allowed Williams a free run at goal but this time Connett went some way towards making amends for his previous howler with a superb full length close range save. Allan headed a Battersby cross wide from a Vics raid before Connett again was at fault with an unconvincing attempted fisted clearance that landed at the feet of Smith barely 8 yards from goal but thankfully his finish rebounded off the inside of the post and to safety. And so it was somewhat against the run of play when Vics grabbed an equalising goal on the stroke of half time. Elliott floated a free kick into the box and some very indifferent defending allowed WILLIAMS to get in a close range shot that eventually made its way into the net via a cluster of bodies in front of the goal line. Any expectancy that Vics would raise their game after the break was soon dismissed as they continued to appear to go through the motions. And, after the game's biggest cheer had been saved for the introduction of Vics' Mark Devlin, it was Leigh who eventually took the lead. Substitute Chris SIMM latched on to a long ball over the top of the Vics defence and shrugged off a Battersby challenge to go clear to beat the advancing Connett with a precise finish from the edge of the box. Every Vics response were largely ineffective and they were only able to produce one late opportunity for Allan but he finished weakly following an incisive move involving Byrne and Mayman. Such an inconspicuous end to a run of 15 straight wins was disappointing but that still did not take away from the post match celebrations and award presentation to loyal servant Mark Devlin. Attendance: 629 Man of the Match : Kieran Charnock
|
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )
|
