BY JONATHAN EELES

The Blues were on the road this Bank Holiday Monday with a short trip into Cheshire to face 1874 Northwich. Whilst Leek Town had drawn the last two games The'74 were in a confident mood after beating Clitheroe 3-1 on the previous Saturday. As 1874 were the home team and their colours were green and black, Leek Town reverted to their home colours of blue & white.

Manager Neil Baker kept the the same starting eleven who drew against Ramsbottom United and took the opportunity to include Tim Grice in the squad of 16 ahead of Jack Tomlinson. This was game of very few chances for either side on a very difficult surface, which was not conducive to flowing football but provided entertaining fayre for those who came to the game, and the travelling True Blue Army were rewarded to a committed performance.

1874 won the toss and elected to attack the uphill end at Townside leaving Leek to attack the deceiving downslope on the ground. From a long Leek goal kick Scott Wara flicked the ball on to Rob Stevenson who chested the ball into the path of Billy Reeves,who found Dan Trickett-Smith on the right wing, his low cross into the near post was smothered by Aghayere under pressure from Will Saxon, the ball fell to Rob Stevenson in the area who volleyed the ball goal bound forcing Aghayere to save again at full strength.

Leek endeavored to control the play with the impressive midfield trio of Grocott, Reeves and Davidson and were awarded a free kick in midfield. A quick free kick found Grocott, who fed Keenan on the left and then passing the ball to Saxon, who beat the fullback Broe before shooting with the ball being cleared by the Northwich defence for a corner.

Northwich were content to soak up and tried to hold the ball up the field with long clearances, Davidson picked the ball up and slid the ball to Grocott who found the advancing Keenan who cut in and played a neat 1-2 with Reeves before attempting a shot and was upended in the box, despite the appeal for a penalty none was given. This was Leeks best period of the game but they couldnt breach Northwichs defence. Another corner was awarded which found Stevenson at the near post, his tentative flick just clipping the post before going our for a goal kick.

More work down the right found Trickett-Smith chasing the ball to the bye line, his sliding attempt and tackle from Fenton saw them both slide off the pitch, with Fenton hitting the advertising boards, thankfully after treatment he returned to the field of play.

Saxon & Keenan combined to find Stevenson who then laid the ball back to Marc Grocott, he hit a fierce low shot from the edge of the area but the saw it sail wide, unlike the previous Saturday where he scored from a similar distance. Soon after a Keenan corner was delivered into the box with a resulting clash of heads, Josh Ryder received extensive treatment before continuing.

HT 1874 NORTHWICH 0 - LEEK TOWN 0

The teams returned to the field of play with Jessy Bavanganga coming on for Josh Ryder who was unable to continue, he immediately took up the right back position with Scott Wara going into central defence. Leek were now facing uphill and would surely see 1874 come more into the game , this was evidenced with an early attack from Gardner who hit the side netting. A corner was delivered soon after and in scramble was cleared by Keenan who blocked and threw himself in front of the ball before Grocott cleared.

Leek were soon up the other end with a corner of their own, Keenan finding Stevenson at the near post who flicked on to Ollie Harrison with his shot being cleared off the goal line by Buckley. The ball was recovered in mid field and Trickett-Smith tried his luck from range for his shot to whistle past the far up right.

Tim Grice and Tom Carr were introduced into the game at the expense of Saxon and Trickett-Smith as the game progressed to its final phase. Leek attempted to build from the back but Scott Wara was dispossed with sloppy play, to his credit he pressured the advancing Irlam who shot was high and wide. The game passed without further incident with the referee bringing the game to its conclusion.

Leek will now travel to Mossley on Saturday 3 September looking to build on their recent gritty performances. A good point away on a difficult surface but but 1874 will more pleased than Leek with the result.

FT 1874 NORTHWICH 0 - LEEK TOWN 0

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Booth

2. Wara

3. Keenan

4. Grocott (c)

5. Harrison

6. Ryder replaced by Bavanganga (46)

7. Saxon replaced by Grice (76)

8. Reeves

9. Davidson

10. Trickett-Smith replaced by Carr (76)

11. Stevenson

Substitutes : Morris, Short (unused)

Attendance : 318