REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLDS

It was Derby Day at Harrison Park on Easter Monday where Leek Town took on local Staffordshire rivals Kidsgrove Athletic for a Pitching In NPL West contest. The Blues knew the visit by the Grove would be a challenging game for them, the near neighbours lying mid-table in the NPL West and recently overcoming both Bootle FC and Trafford FC away from Hollinwood Road and having some decent form.

The game proved to be a typical local derby, high on effort but low on quality, with chances on goal few and far between, and at times it was a highly competitive encounter. A good crowd of 730 did not witness a classic as the Blues had the slightly better chances including a penalty but were denied by resolute defending from the Grove. However, the result does ensure that the Blues stay in 4th position, going into the final match of the season against play-off rivals Marine FC, where a win would hand them 3rd place and home advantage in the play off semi-final.

In a first half possession was largely dominated by the Blues but with few real goal scoring opportunities, their patient passing play produced early half chances for both Dan Trickett-Smith and Tom Edge and then towards the end of the first period Will Saxon. This was a steady start by Leek, as they kept up their trademark possession game, but any free flowing football was difficult with Kidsgrove intent on breaking up the play. On 38 minutes, Kidsgrove had their first shot at goal with striker Kieran Brown seeing his effort float wide of the Blues keeper Sam Booth.

HT LEEK TOWN 0 - KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 0

From the outset of the second period Leek immediately went on the attack. A good chance to get a first goal soon coming to Blues forward Tim Grice but he saw his shoot slide just past the post. Soon after, following some great build up play by the home team created a great chance for Tom Edge, who saw his strong shot well saved by Grove keeper Ryan Brown. It was all Leek now and the Blues continued to dominate play through Reeves, Grocott and Edge in midfield. Fine play on the left found Grocott free who delivered a tantalising ball across the face of the Grove goalmouth but no Blues player could make a connection. On 55 minutes a fine Dan Trickett-Smith chip somehow failed to slide into the visitors' net, with the Kidsgrove Athletic goalkeeper seemingly well beaten, still 0 - 0 with sixty minutes gone. Then on 68 minutes, Kidsgrove forwards Brown and McCarthy combined well and when Leek failed to clear a throw, a fine shot from substitute Adu-Gyamfi was well saved by Blues keeper Sam Booth, so nearly a goal for the visiting team.

As the second half developed, a change came for the Blues with Olly Harrison coming on for Marc Grocott (69). As the game progressed into the final phase, both teams had chances to score but when a dubious penalty was awarded by referee Warner for a trip on Saxon it looked like the home team would take the lead. The Kidsgrove team did their best to delay the kick with weak refereeing allowing too much time before the kick was taken. Lewis Keenan stepped up and struck the penalty well but it was in good position for the keeper to make a save and Brown duly obliged with a super stop, parrying the kick away and then diving on the loose ball, a gilt edge chance missed for the Blues. Final changes came later on from Leek Town manager Baker with Ross Davidson coming on as a substitute for Tom Edge and Lewis Short replacing Ammar Dyer.

In the final minutes, it was end to end play from both teams with the final chance falling to Leek, a through ball played to Ross Davidson was met with the shot saved by Brown pushing the effort around the post. There was a resulting corner which was cleared and the referee blew the final whistle to end the game 0-0.

FT LEEK TOWN 0 - KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 0

So it was a frustrating afternoon for the Blues as the North Staffico bragging rights were shared on this occasion, however this was the 11 consecutive season that Leek have finished above their local rivals in the same league.

The Blues now look to close out the regular season when they travel away to play off rivals Marine AFC on Saturday 23rd April 3pm kick off.

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Booth

2. Dyer replaced by Short (88)

3. Keenan

4. Grocott replaced by Harrison (69)

5. Wara

6. Ryder

7. Edge replaced by Davidson (76)

8. Reeves (c)

9. Grice

10. Trickett-Smith

11. Saxon

Substitutes : Roberts, Ly (unused)

Attendance : 730