O’NEIL’S GOAL IS DECISIVE AS LEEK MAINTAIN PUSH FOR PREMIER GLORY

LEEK Men’s firsts secured a 1-0 win at Telford in Midlands Premier.

Leek wanted to start quickly as they did last week. However, the first pass of the game was misplaced by Dan O’neil straight off the end of the pitch.

This allowed Telford to gain a bit of possession for the first few minutes.

Leek grew into the game after this early pressure and started to transfer the ball around the back.

Telford parked the bus, but Leek started to find the gaps and were awarded the first penalty corner of the match. Rich Cordon’s drag flick was superbly saved off the goalline.

Chances continued to come, but the Leek forward line could not capitalise on the amount of possession and chances they had.

O’neil made up from his early poor pass to dribble past three defenders and slot the ball into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

In the second half, Adam Knott was again on hand to make a couple of saves and looked confident in goal from last week’s clean sheet.

But man of the match Kieran Heath and centre-back partner Jon Harper were in control to allow Leek to stay three points off the top of the table.

Leek Ladies firsts were beaten 5-0 by Khalsa Leamington.

After the first half Leek were 2-0 down, but nevertheless played well as a team and Claire Alcock made some great saves.

After half-time, Leek had some great attacks which lead to a number of short corners but unfortunately none ended in goals.

Khalsa came back into the second half very physical which ended with three of their players receiving green cards and unfortunately Hazel Mycock also receiving one for a controversial tackle.

Leek Men’s fifths ran out 2-1 winners on their trip to Beacon fifths.

Leek started very brightly with Jas Sokhal and George Mounsey feeding Toby Shuttlewood, who would prove a thorn in the side of the home team all game.

The visitors were in a complete control with any sporadic Beacon forays being easily dealt with by Simpson and his well-marshalled defence.

Leek took the lead after concerted pressure when Jas Sokhal’s shot found its way into the corner via several deflections leading to a lengthy umpires conference and, eventually, the Leek opener.

Leek swiftly had the chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a flick only for Andy Machin’s effort to narrowly miss the target.

The away side started the second half dominantly with improved passing and intent. Leek’s forwards repeatedly tested the home keeper with Cook to the fore but frustratingly could not extend their lead.

As the half progressed, Leek began to fall to their opponents level as the game became ever scrappier and the umpiring became ever more one-sided.

The home side exerted a high degree of pressure but it was Leek who extended their lead.

A break away saw Leek win a short corner that was brutally dispatched by Machin.

Beacon quickly responded with a crisply struck response but Leek managed the rest of the game with a calm aplomb that belied the youth of most of the team to secure the three points.