Blues are starting to find their true form, believes boss Baker
NEIL Baker says Leek Town are gradually clicking in to gear after an inconsistent start to the season.
Blues have won all three home games in the Northern Premier League South East Division - ahead of last night’s game against Stocksbridge Park Steels - but have picked up just one point from two away outings.
They also saw their interest in the FA Cup ended by Mickleover Sports in the second qualifying round, although they appear to have brushed off that disappointment.
Their previous two league matches - both at home - have seen them thrash Market Drayton 6-0 and beat Cleethorpes Town 3-2 last weekend.
“It’s been an up-and-down start and we’ve not been fluent,” said manager Baker, who saw his side win 2-1 at Histon in the FA Trophy at the weekend.
“We’ve played well at times, but haven’t been consistent enough. The signs have been there in the past two games, though.
“Market Drayton was not a big test for us, although we did play well against Cleethorpes.
“Away from home we didn’t perform in the defeat at Kidsgrove, and that’s not taking anything away from them because they did a job on us.
“At Sutton Coldfield (Leek drew 1-1) we could have won by as many as we did against Market Drayton.
“We played well apart from the last third of the pitch. There were goalmouth scrambles and shots cleared off the line, but that’s bad play from us because we didn’t take our chances.
“But I’m not too concerned about our away form.”
Baker admits that last season’s exploits, which saw Leek top the table and seemingly on course for promotion before the campaign was declared null and void because of the coronavirus pandemic, have increased expectations.
He also believes that the packed scheduled, with increased midweek matches, has also played a part so far.
“Expectations are high and that’s expected after what happened last season,” explained Baker.
“But every year you look at the levels and there’s surprise results, including in our league.
“No-one would have predicted some of the results we saw last Tuesday night. Teams are winning by four one week and losing by six the next.
“I think it’s a sign of the times. You don’t know what the players are going through at home with the coronavirus
pandemic and how affecting them.
“There’s also the fact that we’re playing SaturdayTuesday-saturday, which can also take its toll.”
With the hectic schedule in mind, Baker has moved to sign Port Vale midfielder Dan it is
Trickett-smith on loan until January.
The 25-year-old joined Vale from Leek on a two-and-a-half year deal in January 2019, but has struggled for first-team games, making one start and two substitute appearances.
He was loaned to Curzon
Ashton last season, but is now back at Leek to join Neil Baker’s squad.
Trickett-smith came through Crewe’s academy before joining Liverpool for £300,000 in 2012. He spent four years with the club and moved to the USA to play for
Sacremento Republic before returning to sign for Leek.
Meanwhile, Jake Twyford has left Leek to join Kidsgrove.
· LEEK have been draw away at Evesham United in the FA Trophy third qualifying round. The tie will be played on Saturday, October 31.