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CASSWELL RELIEVED WITH COALVILLE VICTORY

CASSWELL RELIEVED WITH COALVILLE VICTORY

Steve Reynolds4 Mar 2015 - 13:09
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Lee Casswell paid tribute to midfield ace Niall Maguire who played a big part in last night's 1-0 victory at Coalville Town reports The Sentinel.

Maguire was reportedly ruled out for the rest of the season after being told his abdominal injury problem was a hernia and he would need surgery.

However, he declared himself fit enough to take a seat on the substitutes' bench last night for the Evo-Stik Division One South clash and played all of the second half.

And a goal from striker Liam Shotton eight minutes from time ended a run of three successive defeats.

Casswell said it was relief all-round.

"Everyone was relieved at the final whistle to have ended that three-match run," said the manager who described the goal celebration as the best he has seen this season.

"You could tell how much it meant to the players by the way they celebrated Shotton's goal.

"We've been on a bad run, but last night proved how much the players wanted the win. And the attitude was spot on, especially from the likes of Maguire who had been written off for the season."

Casswell said the player himself wanted to be part of last night's quest to end the losing streak.

"I spoke to Niall on Monday to find out how he was. He said he wasn't feeling any discomfort. I asked if he was fit enough to be a part of the squad for the Coalville game and he didn't hesitate in saying he was.

"I started with Niall on the bench, but we needed to change things a little at half-time so he came on for Sean Kinsella and was fantastic," said Casswell.

Leek survived a scare just after the interval when Coalville were awarded a penalty, but Nathan Watson's spot-kick came crashing back down off the underside of the crossbar and back into play – Coalville's third penalty miss in four attempts this season.

Casswell says it would have been hard had Coalville gone ahead.
"I thought it was a bit of a soft penalty, but we got a let-off. They had another shout later on when Smithson went down in the area, but the referee let play carry on. I thought it was more of a penalty than the other one," observed the manager.

Goalkeeper Ben Chapman pulled off a good save to deny Jake Woolley as the home side threatened, but Leek held out for the win.
Casswell says he's often critical of his goalkeeper, but reckons Chapman did as much as anyone to secure the points.

"Ben pulled off a couple of really important saves when Coalville were coming at us. I criticise when he does something wrong, but last night I thought he was fantastic for us."

Despite the win, Leek are still sitting just outside the play-off places in sixth spot, but are just a point behind local rivals Stafford Rangers, who occupy the last play-off place, with four games in hand.

Casswell says there's still a long way to go and plenty of points to play for.

"We are still in the mix. Mickleover are going well at the moment and are well clear at the top, but hopefully we'll keep chipping away and keep the pressure on them," said the manager

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