Baker hopeful key midfielder Grocott will be fit for purpose
LEEK Town manager Neil Baker is keeping his fingers crossed in the hope the injury which ruled key midfielder Marc Grocott out of Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Whitchurch Alport, isn’t too serious.
Grocott limped out of the 2-1 victory at Market Drayton Town last Tuesday night, but wasn’t fit enough to play at Whitchurch and was rated doubful for last night’s Betvictor South East Division game at home to Ilkeston.
However, Baker says he hopes to have the former Stoke City youngster back in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Cleethorpes Town and next Tuesday night’s Integro League Cup game at home to Runcorn Linnets (7.45pm).
“Marc’s been a key figure in our good start to the season, so I need him fit sooner rather than later,” explained the manager who has been impressed with Grocott’s fitness levels since returning from the summer break.
“He’s worked very hard during the summer to get himself fitter and he’s come back a better player and certainly played a big part in what we have done so far this season,” said Baker.
Grocott, pictured, had loan spells at Alfreton Town and Stafford Rangers while on the books of Stoke City, but on his release was snapped up by Kidsgrove Athletic, but opted for a switch to Leek.
Grocott’s absence at Whitchurch opened the door for former Port Vale youngster Charlie Walford to make a start and is likely to keep his place if Grocott fails to make it in time for Saturday’s game on the east coast where Baker knows his players will again have to meet his high standards.
“I know I keep saying it, but there are no easy games in this league and it’s certainly going to be a big test for us going to Cleethorpes. They are a decent outfit who will expect to be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.”
Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup victory at Whitchurch Alport, in front of a bumper crowd of 797, was secured with second-half goals from Jake Twyford and Rob Stevenson.
Baker wasn’t too happy with the first-half performance, but a few choice words at halftime appeared to do the trick.
“I knew it was going to be tough. They are flying high in their division, they had a big crowd behind them and they had nothing to lose. I wanted to stop them playing, but for some reason we didn’t do that and let them have too much of the ball and they almost hurt us, so I had a few words at halftime and they responded well in the second half and created quite a few chances, especially from set-pieces but we are not making the most of them,” said Baker who is looking for midfielders and defenders to start chipping in with goals.
“We can’t keep relying on the likes of Tim Grice, Rob Stevenson or Andy Bott to keep scoring the goals for us. We need more from midfield and defence, especially at setpieces. We are not attacking the ball in the box, so that’s an area we need to improve on.”
The win at Whitchurch earned Blues a second round qualifying tie at Boston Town, who play in the Uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division.
A home tie would have been preferable, but Baker says he has no problem hitting the road to Lincolnshire.
He said: “It’s nice to get a home draw in the FA Cup, but we’ll do what we have to do and just get on with it as we always do.”
The match will take place on Saturday, September 21 at Boston’s Tattersall Road Ground, known as the DWB Stadium.
The winners will pick up a cheque for £6,750, with the losers banking £2,250.