Hayden Campbell and Jack Griffiths led the Blues into the next round of the FA Trophy after a spirited performance in Worcestershire. Leek Town managed to see out a 2-0 victory against Worcester City, with passion and guile to progress their way through the competition. It was also the first time this season that the Blues had back to back victories, albeit one in the league and one in the Trophy.

After an excellent victory for The Blues last Tuesday against Hyde United in the league, they switched to FA Trophy action to take on Southern League Premier Division side Worcester City, however the tie was played at Malvern Town.

Josh Brehaut shuffled his pack and gave starts for Alex Hurst, Adam Porter and Connor Heath. This left a strong bench with Dino Visser returning and Alex Panter, Billy Reeves, Ollie Shenton and Jacob Towns coming on from the bench.

It was quite a cagey first 10 minutes at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium, with both teams settling into the battle. Leek Town made the better spells going forward and created some dangerous opportunities in the opening stages of the game, but were unable to breach the Worcester City defence.

Hayden Campbell had the first opportunity of the game inside the 17th minute, as a cross into the box fell to his feet, but the forward was unable to trouble Dzialuk.

In the 32nd minute, the Blues had a huge let-off when a lofted ball over the top sent Zac Guinan through on goal, but an excellent save from Misciur denied the hosts breaking the deadlock. However the linesman’s flag was soon raised after the save.

Less than a minute later, Guinan was sent through on goal and was onside this time, but yet again Misciur pulled off another brilliant save to keep the score level.

Leek had a good chance when Lucas Weir intercepted a clearance to race through but the ball bounced to high with Dzialuk smothering the ball.

It was Leek Town who had another chance to take the lead when a swinging cross met Connor Heath, but his effort went over the bar.

Leek Town broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, courtesy of a Hayden Campbell strike which found the net. Adam Porter sent a floating ball into the left hand side to find the forward, and he struck the ball cleanly into the bottom-right hand corner on the half volley.

Some game management was needed by the Blues to protect the lead till half time and thats just what they did.

WORCESTER CITY 0 - LEEK TOWN 1 HT

Just two minutes into the second-half, the lead was nearly doubled when Griffiths gained possession to play the ball into Heath. The inform forward caught Dzialuk off his line, but his effort went narrowly wide.

In the 50th minute, Leek struck again with Jack Griffiths smashing the ball home from close range. Hayden Campbell had the first attempt on goal with a header from a deep cross delivered by Alex Hurst which forced Dzialuk into action to keep the ball out, but Jack Griffiths smashed home the rebound into an empty net with composure.

Alex Panter replaced Heath straight after the goal, and he nearly managed an instant impact on the game. The forward held up the ball on the right hand flank, cut in past his marker and let off a thunderous strike which was going into the top-right corner before Dzialuk pulled off a great save to deny the substitute.

Next it was Porter who made way for Towns as Leek injected fresh energy into the game. The Blues kept pushing to put the game to beyond doubt with an attempt from Alex Hurst which ended up whiskers away from goal.

With just under 25 minutes remaining in the game, Buckley searched froward and played the ball into Campbell, who’s curling shot went inches away from making it three.

Worcester became more direct and it required a spirited defensive display for The Blues as Guinan went in-behind the Leek Town backline, but substitute Jacob Towns did exceptionally well to get back and prevent any dangerous strike towards the goal of Misciur.

Ollie Shenton came into game as Griffith was substituted and had a chance almost immediately on the right hand side before being closed down.

The game should have been decided in the 71st minute when Hurst found Campbell in an abundance of space in front of goal, but his inviting cross could not meet a Yellow shirt.

The action switched to the other end with Worcester City nearly pulling a goal back in the 77th minute after multiple attempts on goal, Misciur kept out the first strike, then substitute Jacob Towns put his body on the line to make two goal-line clearances in the follow-up to the first save.

Shenton again was put clear by a long clearance and advanced but was just caught by Idehen to smother the danger.

Approaching full-time, Nathan Hayward managed to meet a cross into the box with a header which looked to be going in, but another excellent save from Misciur prevented him getting on the scoresheet. Just a minute later, the goalkeeper was in action again to deny another close-range attempt on goal, which pretty much summed up his performance for the day which was very good.

Leek saw out the game with a clean sheet and a two goal cushion despite some late pressure, however with better finishing the winning margin could have been larger.

WORCESTER CITY 0 - LEEK TOWN 2 FT

All eyes will be on the draw on Monday, as we hope for a home tie.

No game next weekend so our next game is now at home on Tuesday 6 October against Warrington Rylands you can buy tickets HERE

Match Highlights Link HERE

MATCH REPORT BY ASH POTTER

You can view Jim Booth MEDIA GALLERY HERE