On another cold, wet and windy afternoon the Blues took on City of Liverpool for a game in the Pitching In NPL West at Harrison Park. The Blues welcomed the visitors knowing this would be a tough game for them, the Purps defeating Leek earlier in the season and coming into the match in some good form after impressive performances against Trafford & Marine.

A crowd of 453 saw an end to end game which was a very good advertisement for non league football and a 2-2 result was probably just about the right result on the day, although Leek had the better chances.

Last time Tuesday, the Blues played well at home against Lichfield City in the Staffordshire Cup overcoming the Midland League Premier League side comfortably with a 3-0 win, scorers for the home team were Tim Grice, Rob Stevenson and Will Saxon. However Neil Baker was very limited in his options for midfield and the forward line with both Dan Trickett-Smith & Rob Stevenson missing out with injuries - this on top of Marc Grocott and Jack Wakefield. Blues were boosted with the loan signing of Joel Tabiner from Crewe Alexandra.

Both teams started brightly with City of Liverpool forward Josh Quarless having an early half chance and on 5 minutes Leek’s Grice almost grazed the post with a strong header, following a fine Keenan cross. In an end to end first 20 minutes, Leek continued to move the ball quickly and gradually dominate play and knocked several longer balls over the top in an effort to expose the Purps back line. The Blues midfield were industrious throughout with a high press and this nearly paid off in the 16th minute when Olly Harrison had a fine header saved by away keeper Martin and from the resulting corner the powerful defender almost scored again with another header that just went past the post.

City of Liverpool then had some chances of their own with Murphy trying his luck on the 28 minutes, but Roberts made an easy save for Leek. The Purps kept coming forward though and then on 32 minutes they took the lead when James Edgar tried a speculative daisy cutter from distance that sneaked under home keeper Danny Roberts, Leek 0 – 1 City of Liverpool. The goal clearly stung the home team into action and on 38 minutes when Olly Harrison played a peach of long ball up to Tim Grice who had timed his run well to beat the offside trap, he then finished with aplomb to lift the ball over the advancing Martin to square the scored before the break.

HT LEEK TOWN 1 - CITY OF LIVERPOOL 1

Leek immediately went on the attack from the restart, with Saxon and Grice combining well, a cross flashed across the box just eluding Grice. Minutes later it was 2-1 to Leek, as the home team scored to take the lead after breaching the Purps defence down the left through Reeves, his pinpoint cross finding Tim Grice, who neatly scored with a downward header (46th minute).

City of Liverpool looked for an immediate response and Edgar forced a fine save from the home keeper Roberts on the 52nd minute. Changes now came from City of Liverpool manager Michael Ellison and the away team continued to press for an equaliser and the substitutions proved key as the Purpose scored on the hour mark, when a speculative through ball eluded the Leek defence found substitute Tinashe Chakwana, he calmly slotted the ball past the Leek keeper Danny Roberts, it was he ex-Burnley players’ first touch of the match, Leek 2-2 City of Liverpool.

The game ebbed from end to end and Leek were had a couple of good chances to gain the lead back, with Saxon and Grice both being denied. The introduction of ex Leek defender Scotty Lycett, seemed to calm the Purps and they then managed the remaining 15 minutes well. Towards the end, it was Harrison of the Blues that threatened the City of Liverpool goal but keeper Martin made a strong save and Leek could not get that key winning goal. Shortly after referee Topp blew the final whistle of the game as both teams left the pitch to applause after providing a very entertaining game.

FT LEEK TOWN 2 - CITY OF LIVERPOOL 2

Leek Town return welcome Colne FC next to Harrison Park on Saturday 12th February

TICKETS HERE

REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLDS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS HERE

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts
2. Bavanganga
3. Keenan
4. Davidson
5. Harrison
6. Ryder
7. Wara replaced by Short (90)
8. Reeves (c)
9. Grice
10. Tabiner
11. Saxon

Substitutes : Booth, Dyer, Glover, Lake (unused)
Attendance : 453