‘It was certainly a night to remember’ – new boy is delighted with hat-trick on second debut for Town

AS SECOND debuts go, Aaron Bott’s wasn’t that bad.

A hat-trick inside 26 minutes was capped with the man-of-the-match award as Leek Town beat Widnes 4-1 last Tuesday night in an Evo-stik West Division match at Harrison Park.

Bott, who joined Leek from local rivals Newcastle Town only last week, was given his chance to make his mark and he certainly did it in style with goals in the ninth, 13th and 35th minute as Blues raced into a 4-1 lead at half-time, Rob Stevenson having scored the first goal three minutes into the game.

And although he admits it was a fantastic personal performance, he was also quick to praise the contribution of his team-mates.

“Yes, I suppose all the focus was on me at the end of the game, but it’s all about the team and I was just pleased that we won the game,” said the 21-year-old from Longton.

And while some players may have been counting their goals while trying to get off to sleep amid all the euphoria of Tuesday night, Bott says it didn’t take him long to nod off.

“I was actually quite tired, so no I didn’t stay up all night reflecting on what had just happened. I needed the sleep, the game took a lot out of me and I certainly didn’t argue when I saw my number go up on the board after 73 minutes,” he admitted.

“But it was certainly a night to remember.

“I couldn’t have had a better start with my first goal coming after nine minutes.

“The Widnes keeper dropped a high ball from Sam Hall right at my feet... I couldn’t miss.

“That goal settled a few nerves and I just tried to play my natural game. I got my second and then third and it was game over really.

“The second half was a bit of an anti climax, but we just had to make sure we didn’t let Widnes back into the game and saw did that, so a good night all round, four goals for the team and three points in the bag,” said Bott –who was at pains to thank his team-mates for their support.

“All the lads were ribbing me a little in the changing rooms after the game, but it was all good fun. They’re a great bunch of players, some were here at Leek when I turned out in a league match for them a couple seasons ago.”

Bott started one game for Leek under manager Ant Danylyk in 2016.

He was at Ball Haye Green, but signed on a dual registration and played in a 2-1 win over Market Drayton Town.

He came up through the youth setup at Meir KA before joining Ball Haye Green as a 17-year-old and was almost immediately put into the first team under manager Keilan Bond.

And it was while playing for Ball Haye in the final of the Staffs FA Vase in April 2017 that he was spotted by no other than Port Vale legend Robin van der Laan.

He was at the game because Green were playing Newcastle Town Reserves and at the time Van der Laan was the club’s director of football. He was there with academy coach Gavin Appleby.

They looked on as Bott secured the Vase for Ball Haye Green with a hattrick as the Leek-based side ran out 3-0 winners at Marston Road.

“They obviously liked what they saw because they signed me and suddenly I was with an Evo-stik club – a big step from the Staffs County Senior League.

“I enjoyed my time at Newcastle, they gave me a great start, but when I heard there was interest from Leek Town I went along and I liked what manager Neil Baker had to say.

“It was a wrench leaving Newcastle, because they are a great club, but so too are Leek and I wanted a fresh challenge.”

But despite him taking a big step up, he never forgets where it all began.

“I had a really good time at Meir KA, it’s a fantastic club run by enthusiastic people.

“One of my coaches was Scott Reaney. His family has been involved with the club ever since is started.

“I also enjoyed my time at Ball Haye Green under Keilan Bond, he’s a good manager and a great person. It’s just a shame what has happened to the club,” said Bott.

Ball Haye Green were kicked off the pitch they have been playing on for the past 80 years by the landowner.

They were forced to find a new home at Westwood College, but due to the facilities and the fact they were losing a number of players, dropped out of the Staffs County Senior League Premier Division into Division One.

Bott says it’s a real shame.

“It’s a great community club with bags of history and I wish the, all the best for the future.”

Bott comes from a footballing family, his dad Steve played for the likes of Meir KA and Rocester as a striker, but played mainly Sunday football with Wedgwood and Trentham Romans where he was regularly on the scoresheet.

His uncle Andy was more of the Saturday footballer, although both Steve and Andy played together at Meir KA where they scored 60 goals between them one season before they both headed off to Rocester.

Andy also played for Nantwich Town, but his most successful spell was at Lyme Valley with Newcastle Town and in 2002 he topped the local leading scorer charts with an incredible 45 goals - so Bott junior has quite some catching up to do, but a hat-trick on his debut is not a bad start.

He added: “In his time, uncle Andy was a terrific player and goalscorer, I’ve certainly got a lot to live up to,” he said.

For the record, Aaron now has five goals for the season, having scored twice for Newcastle Town.