Boss Baker eyes repeat performance

LEEK Town welcome Prescot Cables to Harrison Park on Saturday, with manager Neil Baker looking for a repeat performance of their last home game.

Blues raced into a 4-1 halftime lead against Widnes, with striker Aaron Bott netting a hat-trick in his first game since joining from local rivals Newcastle Town.

And although there was no further scoring in the second half, Baker says he wants to see his players take a firm grip of Saturday’s match in the early stages.

“It was a great first-half performance against Widnes. We were on the front foot early and scored four times inside 35 minutes to put the game to bed. It was almost a complete performance. When we score early we tend to do well and against Widnes we got the early goals,” said Baker who was delighted Bott got off to a flying start.

“We know he can score goals and it’s a great start for him. He’s got a good work ethic and has settled in very well,” said the manager.

Bott’s arrival has meant Baker was able to release striker

Zeph Thomas who has joined Brighouse Town.

“Brighouse came in for him late last week. We’d just signed Aaron Bott and with Tim Grice and Dan Trickett-smith recovering nicely from injuiry I was able to let Zeph go,” said Baker.

Grice (hamstring) and Trickettsmith (groin) have missed the last couple of games for Leek, but Baker says both are progressing nicely. He said: “The news on both players is good. They have been doing some light training, but noncontact. I don’t want to rush them back too soon.”

Baker went to watch Prescot draw at Sheffield in the FA Trophy on Saturday and reports: “They a solid team and I stress the word team. There are no stand-out players as such, but they have decent players, so it’s going to be a tough game for us.”