REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLDS

The weather was barmy, with hail and bright sunshine when Leek Town took on Tameside team Mossley AFC for a Pitching In NPL West fixture at Harrison Park, Leek. The Blues knew the visit by the Lilywhites would be a challenging league game for them, as they lay eighth in the table and drawing recently at home to form team Marine.

A good crowd of 521 saw an entertaining encounter with the Blues blasting four past the Lilywhites with goals coming from Will Saxon, Ammar Dyer and another two fine goals from Danny Trickett-Smith ensuring that the Blues continue their recent good run in the league and moving them up to third in the league. Leek Town manager Neil Baker shuffled his pack losing Lewis Short and Jessy Bavanganga last week to injury but welcoming back the experienced Tim Grice and Marc Grocott.

Within a minute of the kick-off, the home team were ahead when Ammar Dyer flicked the ball in the Mossley net from a Trickett-Smith cross, Leek 1 – 0 Mossley. This was a super-fast start by Leek, as they continued with their trademark passing game and within five minutes the Blues had doubled their lead as Leek forward Saxon combined well to create a chance for Dan Trickett-Smith to shoot past goal-keeper Kelly, Leek 2 – 0 Mossley. This was Trickett-Smith's seventeenth NPL West league goal of the season and the best of starts for Leek Town.

On 15 minutes, Mossley captain Andy Keogh had a shot well saved by Blues keeper, Danny Roberts. Then on 18 minutes, it was almost a third goal for the home team when defender Josh Ryder saw a powerful header cleared off the line by Lilywhites keeper Kelly. The early goals clearly helped the Blues and they kept up pressure on the visitor who could not contain flying forward play of Saxon, Dyer and Trickett-Smith. On 25 minutes, after some good build up play it was the visitors' winger Andy Hickman that saw his shot clip the woodwork with Leek keeper Danny Roberts seemingly beaten.

Overall though the Blues continued to dominate play, regularly beating the Mossley defence with all of the Leek forward line having good chances to score again, as Leek strived for that important third goal. With only a few minutes left in the first period, Leek finally got the third goal they deserved through a great team effort scored yet again by Dan Trickett-Smith as he finished off a fine run and cross by Will Saxon.

HT LEEK TOWN 3 - 0 MOSSLEY

It was Leek that immediately went on the attack from the restart. A good chance to get another goal soon coming to Blues forward Ammar Dyer but he somehow failed to connect with a Trickett-Smith cross from the left. Then on 60 minutes, Blues forwards Saxon and Dyer combined well and when Mossley failed to clear the ball, and another great effort from Trickett-Smith skimmed the Lilywhites post, so nearly another goal for the home team. As the game progressed, the Leek midfield continued to control the game with Edge, Davidson and skipper Reeves leading the way. The Blues tried hard to get another goal and Ryder had two great chances to beat Mossley Kelly from the close in, somehow the Blues could not get that fourth goal until on the 72nd minute a good run from Ammar Dyer resulted in Will Saxon scoring from a neat tap in, Leek 4 – 0 Mossley.

As the second half developed, changes came for the Blues with Grocott (73'), Grice (77') and Ly (81) coming on to replace Harrison, Trickett-Smith and Edge respectively. In the final minutes, it was end to end play from both teams, played at a fast pace. However, the best chance for another goal coming from Brian Ly who attempted to lob the ball over keeper Kelly from distance, the back peddling keeper just managed to tip the ball over for a corner. An impressive win for Leek Town against tough NPL West opponents that now guarantees them a play off place, the win moving them up to third.

FT LEEK TOWN 4 - 0 MOSSLEY

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts

2. Wara

3. Keenan

4. Edge replaced by Ly (81)

5. Harrison replaced by Grocott (73)

6. Ryder

7. Dyer

8. Reeves (c)

9. Saxon

10. Trickett-Smith replaced by Grice (77)

11. Davidson

Substitutes : Booth, Glover (unused)

Attendance : 521

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