REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

On a lovely Autumnal afternoon a bumper crowd of 866 witnessed the first competitive 'derby' game between these two North Staffordshire sides and it was Leek Town who came away with the local bragging rights after a fine 4-1 victory, although it was a score line that was slightly flattering for them and a little harsh on Hanley who hit the woodwork twice in an improved second half display from the visitors.

Manager Neil Baker made one change to the side that won so impressively at Atherton the previous week; captain Marc Grocott returning at the expense of Jesse Bavanganga as the Blues reverted to a back four. For their part Hanley had at least six former Leek players in their starting line up or on the bench who would be eager to turn over one of their former clubs.

The first few minutes of the game were evenly matched and both sides fashioned half chances with Rob Stevenson rolling his marker on 2mins but shooting straight into the midriff of Kieran Harrison, in the Hanley goal, as the keeper covered his near post, whilst at the other end Louis Keenan managed to deflect a Hanley effort wide.

On 5mins a great whipped cross was produced by Billy Reeves into the Hanley 6 yd box but Tom Carr was unable to get any meaningful connection on it and Harrison was able to gather, whilst further important blocks were produced by the Leek defence during a series of Hanley corners.

The opening goal of the game came in slightly bizarre circumstances. A pretty aimless high lofted ball was played into the Hanley area and Tim Grice managed to get a flick on to divert the ball goalwards. The ball looked to be bouncing aimlessly through to Harrison before Tom Carr, looking suspiciously offside, flung himself at it. The young forward got the slightest of touch's, although not enough to divert the ball from its path but it was enough to deceive Harrison and allow the ball to bounce through into the net. The Hanley players appealed for the offside and protested to the referee but after consulting with his assistant the goal stood and it was 1-0 to Leek.

An aggrieved Hanley looked to hit back and Louis Dodds had a shot from the edge of the area that bounced just in front of Sam Booth but the Leek keeper had watched it carefully and pushed the effort wide.

The toe to toe jousting between the teams continued. Carr got free down the right and delivered and pulled the ball back into the path of Grocott and whilst the Blues captain didn't get the cleanest of contacts on it Harrison was still forced to save low down to his right and push the ball out for a corner. Then it was Hanley's turn once again as they forced another set of corners and when one was delivered to the far post an unmarked Daniel Glover could only side foot a volley well over Booths bar.

The visitors suffered a blow after 30mins when Dodds was forced off through injury and replaced by Jake Twyford and Leek then took a stranglehold of the game for the remainder of the half as their opponents tried to adjust. Grice broke the offside trap to set up Hugill but the on loan Burnley midfielder could not control his effort which flew over the bar before Keenan produced a great cross which was well defended by Alex Morris from a yard out with Stevenson lurking behind him.

This only resulted in a corner from which the Blues doubled their lead. Reeves delivered a low ball to the near post for Grice to run onto. The forward missed the ball completely but it proved to be the perfect dummy as Oli Harrison was immediately behind him to steer the ball home to make it 2-0 on 38 mins, a scoreline the Blues were content with to take into the break.

LEEK TOWN 2 - HANLEY TOWN 0 HT

At the start of the second half it seemed that Hanley had a renewed purpose and nearly pulled a goal back on 48mins when a free kick was headed back across goal and Reeves somehow managed to hook the ball away from the goal line under pressure from two attackers. The hosts then had to defend a couple of corners without the height of Harrison who was off the field having treatment but managed to do so without too much alarm.

But the visitors were still having the better of it putting together some neat passing, orchestrated by Tim Sanders, and trying to stretch the Leek defence and find an opening. Jake Avery cut in from the left on 63mins and forced a save from Booth before the same player hit another effort over the bar a couple of minutes later.

Baker was obviously not liking what he was seeing and made a change, bringing on Dan Trickett-Smith for Hugill to try and freshen up the Leek midfield whilst the visitors also made substitutions with Charlie Walford replacing Alex Morris and Reece Jones replacing Jayden Cottrill.

The changes had no real effect on the pattern of play with Hanley still continuing to push Leek back but without really threatening Booths clean sheet at this stage and it was in fact Leek who had the ball in the net next when Stevenson converted a low cross from Reeves but the offside flag was up.

Hanley suffered a further blow on 70mins as full back Sam Barrett had to leave the game injured and, having already made their three substitutions it meant the visitors would have to play the remaining 20mins with ten men.

As it turned out it looked as if it was Leek who were a player short as Hanley started to throw caution to the wind a little and throw more men forward pushing the Blues back in the process. Whilst the visitors were taking a risk and leaving gaps at the back Leek could just not get on the ball to take advantage and, sure enough, it came as no surprise when Jake Avery pulled a goal back on 76mins following a lovely flowing move that deserved the finish it got.

Despite the man disadvantage Hanley's tails were up and it was game on with the home supporters getting restless although from the restart Stevenson nearly restored the Blues two goal advantage as he got the better of Joel Stair on the left and drove into the area but was then denied by Harrison at his near post.

However, just a minute later the action was back at the other end and hearts were in mouths as Glover smacked the outside of the Leek post with a well struck volley before curling another effort just wide.

Carr was withdrawn and Bavanganga was brought on by Baker on 80mins and the formation changed to five at the back to bolster the Leek defence against the increased threat being posed by Hanley and this move seemed to work as the Blues started to see a little bit more of the ball and finally start to exploit the gaps the visitors were leaving.

To some relief the two goal cushion was restored on 84mins when a penalty was awarded after Oli Harrison was first to a loose ball in the Hanley and was tripped by Sanders. Billy Reeves made no mistake from the spot and the Leek fans were able to breathe more easily.

Jack Tomlinson, back from his loan spell at Whitchurch Alport , was then brought on in the place of Grice as the Blues looked to run down the clock, Hanley's misfortunes continued as they hit the Leek crossbar before salt was really rubbed into their wounds on 94mins.

A final Leek breakaway resulted in Tomlinson being played through on the left and his unselfish square ball across was inch perfect for the onrushing Rob Stevenson to fire past Harrison and produce a final score that was not a true reflection of the game for those who were there to see it.

LEEK TOWN 4 - HANLEY TOWN 1 FT

Leek are on the road again next week where they face City of Liverpool, and a return trip to Bootle with whom they ground share - see you there.

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Booth

2. Wara

3. Keenan

4. Grocott (c)

5. Harrison

6. Ryder

7. Hugill replaced by Trickett-Smith (66)

8. Reeves

9. Grice

10. Carr replaced by Bavanganga (79)

11. Stevenson

Substitutes : Baker, Pickering (unused)

Attendance : 866