Baker looks for Leek to create some more Trophy memories
LEEK Town are back on the FA Trophy trail this weekend - and boss Neil Baker is determined to make some more memories.
Baker was the man at the helm in 1990 when Blues reached the final of the competition before losing 3-0 to Barrow at Wembley.
It’s an occasion which is still fresh in the memory of those associated with Leek Town, and Baker wants another good run in this season’s Trophy.
Leek head to Stamford this weekend for the first qualifying round tie after battling past Loughborough Dynamo in a replay in the preliminary round.
Aaron Bott’s hat-trick helped them to a 5-2 win in Leicestershire - and more of the same would be most welcome when they make the long trip to Stamford.
Stamford are a team well known to Leek, with the sides facing each other in the Evo-stik League before a restructure left the Daniels in the eastern section.
Baker says they will pose a threat, but is also looking at the prize money aspect with £3,250 on offer to the winners of Saturday’s tie.
“Cup games are important for us from the money side of things, and the chairman is keen for us to get through on Saturday!” said Baker.
“It will be a hard game for us, but we have an idea of what to expect. We played Stamford twice last season before the reorganisation of the divisions, winning one and losing one, so there isn’t a great deal of difference between us.”
Leek were without a game last weekend because of scheduled opponents Kidsgrove Athletic being involved in the FA Cup.
Grove were beaten 1-0 by National League side Hartlepool, thanks to Niko Muir’s eighth-minute strike, while Leek had to content themselves with a training session.
That means Leek have played only eight matches in the Evo-stik West Dvision so far, although they are in eighth place.
They have three or four games in hand on some of the sides above them after seeing cup commitments take over in recent weeks.
Seven of their last 11 matches have been in knockout competitions, and they don’t return to league action until Tuesday when they head to Radcliffe.
Baker’s men were also in cup action last night when they took on Newcastle Town in the Integro Cup.
“It was frustrating for us as we are falling behind in our league games through playing cup matches ourselves, but fair play to Kidsgrove, they did exceptionally well to get that far in the FA Cup and by all accounts were very unlucky to lose. They did the area proud,” added Baker.
“We had a training session on Saturday morning to keep in shape and will be ready to go again this week.
“Overall I am pleased with how things are going, we are handily placed in the league, scoring plenty of goals and still battling in the Trophy, which means a lot to the club and myself from when we reached the final many years ago.”
Goals certainly haven’t been a problem for Blues, with Bott scoring a couple of hat-tricks in recent matches.
And their striking options could be enhanced even further on Saturday if Tim Grice recovers from injury.
“Tim Grice has a chance of being fit, but unfortunately Dan Trickett-smith will need a bit longer,” explained Baker.
“He is a big miss as he has done very well for us. Lewis Short is the only other one on the injury list, but that is only short term and he may be back.
“Aaron Bott has done well since he joined us, scoring two hat tricks. I’d just like him to score the winner in a 1-0 win now! Billy Reeves has also done well in midfield, he’s got a bit of experience in the Football League with Port Vale which will help.”
Leek are hoping to take a good following to Stamford on Saturday, with fans being able to travel on the team bus for £10.