PRIESTMAN IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO KEEP LEEK IN CONTENTION FOR TITLE

LEEK Men’s firsts starred under floodlights to beat Barton 1-0 at home in their Midlands Premier encounter.

The Moorlanders were desperate to start quickly - and they did just that as they took an early lead.

A quick break away from the back saw the ball go to Charlie Thackstone in the middle of the park and his pass allowed Nath Smith to win the game’s first penalty corner.

Ben White’s strike was saved by the keeper, but Joe Priestman was on hand to slot the rebound home.

Leek stayed strong in their structure knowing exactly what Barton would do.

This played into Leek’s hand and over the course of the next 10 minutes they had some great chances - Smith hitting the post, Ash Cunningham narrowly missed the top right-hand corner and Priestman looking to double his tally.

Barton started to grow into the game, breaking the play up and playing long ball. The defence stood strong with Adam Knott only having to come into action a few times.

Barton nearly scored from a penalty corner, however, Rich Cordon was on hand to stop the ball on the line and clear the danger which meant Leek went into the break in the lead.

The second half continued in the same way as the first. A scrappy game which was broken up by cards for both teams, including Stu Brindley for knocking the ball away and Kieran Health for a stick tackle.

Barton thought they had equalised, however, after a lengthy decision by the umpires they agreed the ball did not travel enough before entering the D and overturned the decision.

But a gritty determination from the team saw Leek keep a grip on the game. Paul Nixon and Ben White saw lots of the ball which allowed Leek to play down the clock.

Knott did not have too much to do in the Leek goal, but when called on made some good saves to keep Leek in the title hunt.

LEEK Men’s seconds played out a 2-2 draw with their Sutton Coldfield counterparts.

The away side who had much the better of the early exchanges as Leek struggled to find a foothold in the game.

Despite this early pressure the Leek defence stood strong with Pete James particularly prominent and the only real moment of alarm saw skipper Ant Mellor calmly deal with a goal-line clearance.

Sutton Coldfield continued to dominate possession, however, it was Leek who carved out the two best chances as Noah Clark and Ted Thackstone both went close to scoring.

A blank half-time scoresheet allowed Leek to tweak their formation and this paid dividends in the second period as first Clark opened the scoring with a closerange finish following a shot by Harry Mellor and then Nathan Jones rounded off a fine short corner routine involving Thomas Finney.

The away side then hit back and Leek were grateful to Ben Topley who made another superb goalline clearance to frustrate Sutton, however, they then got some deserved luck as a sort corner was deflected past Leek keeper Jim Williamson to halve the deficit.

The game continued at a high pace and several breaks lead by the irrepressible Thackstone saw Leek go close to what would have been a winner, however, Williamson who was having a fine game in the Leek net was also called into action as the West Midlands side searched for the equaliser.

The Leek defence was finally breached with two minutes left when a scrappy goal by Sutton gave them a share of the points.

LEEK Men’s fifths had to settle for the same 2-2 scoreline at home against Lichfield seconds.

Leek started slowly with Lichfield in the ascendancy early on with their positive approach unnerving the home side and they took a deserved lead through a wellworked short-corner routine.

As the half progressed, Leek began into grow into the game as, with Davis and George Mounsey pulling the strings in midfield, they began to control the possession and fashioned a number of chances to equalise.

The front two of Cook and Warrilow gave the opposition a torrid time, only denied by keeper. Shuttlewood was having an inspired game down the right and would be a constant threat whilst Harry Mounsey provided the threat down the left, troubling the defenders with his pace.

Despite this pressure, Leek came close to falling two behind when Lichfield were a awarded a debatable flick.

This was initially dispatched but a disciplinary dispute which saw Machin dispatched to the naughty step led to the flick being retaken and Abberley saved comfortably.

Leek then took the lead on the cusp of half time, Davis converting a well-worked short-corner routine.

Leek started the second half brightly and took the lead through yet another flick which Machin netted effectively.

As the second half progressed the game became stretched and scrappy.

With a few minutes remaining, Lichfield’s pressure finally told as they fashioned an equaliser.

LEEK Men’s sixths were beaten 3-2 at home by Old Wulfrunians, while the sevenths lost 2-0 at home

to Newport thirds.