Leek Town
Matches
Sat 16 Nov 2024  ·  Premier
Ashton United
1
0
Leek Town
Leek Town
BLUES FAIL TO CLIP ROBINS WINGS

BLUES FAIL TO CLIP ROBINS WINGS

Jonathan Eeles17 Nov - 15:34
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DEFEAT IN TAMESIDE FOR LEEK

Hoping to climb out of the relegation zone with 3 points Leek Town failed in their quest after suffering a 1-0 defeat to promotion chasing Ashton United.

Despite the narrow margin of the scoreline, in truth, once Josh Brehauts men had fallen behind early in the second half they never looked like retrieving the situation as for all their technical capabilities in working the ball forward out from defence they never really troubled the Ashton back line with goalkeeper Jordan Eastham never having to make a save in the entire game.

The decisive goal came on 53 minutes in slightly controversial circumstances. Liam Buckley and Ashtons Benny Couto who had had a closely fought battle all game tussled for a ball knocked forward and Buckley went sprawling to the floor under the challenge. However the referee, who had an indifferent game throughout, waved play on and Couto was able to square a low ball across the face of the goal that Darius Osei was able to finish into the roof of the net from close range. Leek goalkeeper and captain, Dino Visser, was booked for his protests as the Robins players celebrated the breakthrough.

Whilst the goal might have come early in the second half there was nothing much other action to report for the remainder. Leek worked hard to get back into the game and got into one or two good positions but lacked the quality needed to fashion an opportunity.

Their only shot on target came from a set piece after 64mins when, from a corner won by the returning Billy Reeves on the right, the ball was prodded forward following a bit of a scramble and had to be headed off his own line by Osei.

Osei himself had another great chance to double Ashton’s lead on 57mins but found Visser equal to his effort with a fine save. Other than that the second half was a poor spectacle for the travelling Blues fans stood in the Autumnal gloom with the flow of the game punctuated by a host of substitutions and broken up by a high number of fouls and free kicks.

In contrast the opening 45mins saw the majority of the action and chances created.

Leek were starting with yet another new defensive line up after Scott Butlers recall by Marine following his loan spell, with Tom Curl, Nathan Okome and Olly Haywood forming a 3 man central that was fully tested by the Robins in an opening spell where they threatened to run riot.

The main tormenter in chief was Trevon Bryan who created the first opening after just 3mins with a pacy burst forward down the right. His pull back was met by Osei but his shot was deflected wide for a corner by an important challenge by Buckley. Bryan had an effort himself on 6mins, cutting in from the right onto his preferred left foot and unleashing a shot that Visser had to tip over the bar flying to his right.

The Blues goalkeeper produced an even better save on 13mins when he got down low to push a header from Dan Cowan past the post after the Robins full back had got on the end of a inswinging free kick. The home side continued to press and Bryan had another run and shot after 16mins that was more if a comfortable save for Visser.

Visser was beaten by an low left footed effort from Ashton’s Josh Doherty just a couple of minutes later, after the full back had been fortunate to have an intended pass deflect back into his path to set him free in the area, but the ball flashed just wide of the far post.

Amazingly, for all of Ashton’s dominance it was actually Leek who had the best 2 chances of the half but unfortunately Tyreece Onyeka failed to take either of them.

The first came on 20mins when a ball down the Blues right played in Hayden Campbell who had got in on the blind side of the Robins defender who was unaware of the danger. Campbell was able to play the ball low across the 6 yard box to find Onyeka rushing in but the winger somehow managed to put it wide with the goal seemingly gaping. Then later on in the half with the Ashton back line pushing up he was played through on the left but with just Eastham to beat he took too heavy a touch to allow the ball to run through to the advancing keeper.

Had either chance been taken it could have changed the rest of the game with Leek having something to hold onto rather than having to chase the game, which they have found to be a struggle and finding goals hard to come by.

It is a situation the Blues will need to find a solution to if they hope to climb the league table in the weeks to come

ASHTON UNITED 1 - LEEK TOWN 0 FT

REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

Match Photos Courtesy of Jim Booth HERE

The Blues return to home this weekend with the visit of high flying Morpeth Town - you can purchase your tickets HERE

  1. Visser
  2. Buckley
  3. Weir replaced by Reeves (62)
  4. Heywood
  5. Okome
  6. Curl
  7. Onyeka replaced by Onyeka (78)
  8. Porter replaced by Herman (62)
  9. Windsor replaced by Woodcock (70)
  10. Shenton replaced by McGuinness (62)
  11. Campbell

Attendance : 360

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Nov 2024

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

360

Competition

Premier

League position

5
Ashton United
20
Leek Town
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - F Ball & Co
Community  Partner - Leek Building Society
Club Sponsor - M + M Group
Charity Partner - AEDdonate
Club Sponsor - LILA Connect
Club Sponsor - Buxton and Leek College
Club Sponsor - Faulkner Powell
Club Partners - KMF Group
Club Sponsor - Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce
Club Sponsor - Railtrail Tours
Club Sponsor - MC Cleaning
Club Sponsor - MC Janitorial
Ladies Sponsors - Protech Electrical