REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLDS

On a glorious sunny Saturday Leek Town took on play-off chasing Runcorn Linnets for a Pitching In NPL West match at the Apec Taxis stadium. The Blues knew this would be a game for them with in-form Runcorn needing to win to continue their hunt for a play-off spot.

Last Saturday, the Blues played well at home against Greater Manchester side Mossley with an impressive 4-0 win, it was a very pleasing all-round team performance with the goals coming from another Dan Trickett-Smith brace, Will Saxon and Ammar Dyer.

The game proved to be a tough encounter with few chances despite some good technical play. A large crowd of 742 saw a Leek Town side battle to try and overcome a competitive home team that was striving to join the Blues in the NPL West play-offs. It was a game of few chances but Runcorn Linnets took the spoils with a well-deserved 2 -0 win, thanks to a Joe Lynch penalty (55') and a super strike from Iwan Murray late on (79'). Runcorn are the only team to do the double over Leek this season.

In an even first half that neither side really dominated, it was the Blues with the first chance and it was fine Ammar Dyer that almost grazed the crossbar from 20 yards out after twenty minutes. Then, the home team had two good chances to score with chances falling to forwards Murray and Marsh-Hughes. The match continued to have a very competitive edge, but it was skilful forward Tom Marsh-Hughes of Runcorn Linnets who almost scored with a neat finish from a well struck cross from Lynch on 40 minutes that somehow Blues goalkeeper Roberts pushed on to the underside of the woodwork.

HT RUNCORN LINNETS 0 - LEEK TOWN

In the second period, the home team started very strongly, taking the lead when Linnets' striker Iwan Murray was pushed over by Blues keeper Roberts in the box for a penalty kick, Joe Lynch confidently struck the ball into the Leek net on 55 minutes, giving Runcorn the lead. Leek Town began to put heavy pressure on the home team who defended well with keeper Mooney pulling off good saves from Saxon and Trickett-Smith. However, despite some good play from Reeves, Edge and Dyer, Leek could not seem to break down a resolute Runcorn defence.

On 68 minutes, Neil Baker made his first substitutions, bringing on Grocott for Edge and Grice for Davidson with the aim of getting that all important Leek equaliser. Then on 79 minutes, a good counter attack from Saxon broke down as the referee allowed Leek to play on when perhaps he should have given a foul, Runcorn countered quickly and a shot by Linnets forward Iwan Murray from almost 30 yards beat Roberts, it was goal good enough to grace any game and gave the keeper no chance.

In the final minutes, both sides attacked, with Leek bringing on Ly for Trickett-Smith (89'), the score stayed the same and the home team deservedly took the points. A competitive and tight match but a disappointing defeat for the Blues against an impressive Runcorn Linnets .

FT RUNCORN LINNETS 2 - 0 LEEK TOWN

The Blues have a tight turnaround with a home game on Monday against local neighbours Kidsgrove Athetic in the North Staffico Derby.

You can buy your online ticket with free online digital programme HERE

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts

2. Wara

3. Keenan

4. Edge replaced by Grocott (68)

5. Harrison

6. Ryder

7. Dyer

8. Reeves (c)

9. Saxon

10. Trickett-Smith replaced by Ly (89)

11. Davidson replaced by Grice (68)

Substitutes : Booth, Glover (unused)

Attendance : 742