After a solid team performance in the cup last week, AFC Leek Town were looking to build on that and get a victory against a team with similar standing in the league. With the only change in personnel being new signing Matthew Goodwin coming in to replace Joshua Gilson from the previous game, some consistency is starting to show in team selection, with the hope of consistent performances too.

It was Alsager who started the game more positively, using the skill of former Blues player Tom Lowe, to lead their attack. It was only 6 minutes into the game when Alsager broke the deadlock, with good work down the left and a dangerous ball into the box met by Alsagers Matt Cox in the 6 yard box, who finished comfortably.

And only 9 minutes later, Alsager added to their lead, with a cross put into the Leek box, which seemed to be easy to deal with, but a mix up between the Blues Keeper and defense lead to Josh Foxalls punch, spinning the ball awkwardly in to his own net. A slow and shaky start put Leek on the back foot but they started to work their way back into the game.

With Leek gaining more possession, the last 15 minutes of the first half were all Leek. Good work from Rory Knipe on the left saw a good ball played into the box but the keeper was alert to the resulting shot. Zack Stanley then found himself on the end of a good cross from Josh Oultram, only to see his first time shot fly over the bar.

Leek finally got what they had been working hard for, when Sandy Rarity found himself inside the 18 yard box and fired a first time shot, which the keeper smartly saved, but Rarity was quickest to react and slotted home just before the break.

With a change at half time, Matthew Goodwin coming off with an ankle injury and being replaced by Richard Law, Leek were looking to go out and get a quick equalizer. Leek enjoyed good amounts of possession, but couldn't create many chances of note, the only one being a snap shot from outside the box by Sandy Rarity.

Alsager started to get another foothold in the game and won a succession of corners, and Tom Lowe enjoying a lot of time on the ball but without creating anything to trouble the defence. After being awarded a free kick the ball was floated from the right hand side of the box to the back post where it was met by a thumping header to make it 3-1.

Leek brought on Andy Lewis and Matthew Woodall, playing the last 15 minutes with three up front to try and salvage something from the game, but still couldn't create any clear cut chances.

Final score Alsager 3-1 AFC Leek Town

Team
1 Josh Foxall
2 Tom Bestwick
3 Reeyce Bromfield
4 Matthew Goodwin (45)
5 George Swain
6 Connor Myatt (70)
7 Zack Stanley
8 Tyler Simms
9 Josh Oultram
10 Sandy Rarity
11 Rory Knipe (75)

12 Richard Law (45)
14 Joshua Gilson
15 Matthew Woodall (75)
16 Andy Lewis (70)