After knocking Scarborough out of the FA Trophy the previous weekend Leek Town beat their close seaside neighbours Whitby Town with a solid 3-0 away win against a side that were sitting 5th in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.

Once again the Blues demonstrated defensive solidity combined with clinical finishing of the chances that came their way with goals from Callum Leigh, Tunde Owolabi and Connor Heath.

Leek went into the game showing one enforced change to the starting line up. Louis Potts was ruled out through injury and so Heath was chosen to partner Owolabi up front.

The Blues looked as if they were struggling to get the long journey out of their legs as they made a sluggish and sloppy start to the game and were fortunate not to concede in the first 10 minutes as the hosts missed a couple of golden chances.

A mis-control by Tom Curl after just 4mins presented the ball to Whitby’s Adam Gell in the area and with just Dino Visser to beat he drove the ball across the Leek goalkeeper but just wide of the far post.

Then, on 7mins, the Blues back line were caught flat footed looking for offside as the ball was lofted over for Jake Charles to run onto. Visser was also caught off his line and Charles lobbed the ball over him but misdirected it and it fell a yard wide of the goal.

Finally being able to come forward Owolabi produced one of his trademark strong runs skipping over a challenge in the process and the opportunity opened up to square the ball to an unmarked Alex Hurst in the centre but the strikers pass was just behind Hurst and although the chance was lost it was a sign that Leek were beginning to acclimatise to the game.

A Lucas Weir free kick was then delivered looking for Liam Edwards at the far post and the central defender did well to stretch and knock the ball back across into the 6yd box where Frankie Whelan had to put it over his own bar to clear the danger for the home side

The midfield three of Weir, Leigh and Reeves were beginning to get on top in the battle of the midfield picking up a number of loose balls and Weir played an excellent first time pass over to Hurst on the left. He easily beat his full back and delivered a dangerous pull back into the area but it was unfortunately behind all the yellow shirts that had flooded into the box and Whitby were able to clear.

Donald Chimalilo was looking particularly lively for the Seasiders, floating around behind the front men, and receiving a lot of the ball. However, the #11 often lacked the end product with his shots either being blocked by a Leek player in close attendance or lacking the power to trouble Visser.

One such example came on 29mins when Visser came out to meet a long ball played forward by Whitby but was actually beaten to the ball. As the keeper looked to recover his ground the ball was played to Chimalilo but his attempted chip shot did not have enough on it and Visser was able to easily catch his effort.

The opening goal came five minutes later and was a goal good enough to win any game. A long ball played down the Leek left saw Heath do well to get beyond his defender to pick up the ball near the touchline. He brought the ball inside and slid a pass to Leigh still outside the area. He switched the ball onto his right foot and created enough room to produce a curling drive over Shane Bland and into the top corner for a beauty.

The home side were stunned and looked to hit back but again Chimalilos tame effort was saved easily by Visser before the game became a bit industrious with both sides struggling for possession as the game approached the break.

Then, on the stroke of half time, the Seasiders had another great chance with a move down the left that resulted in a cross across the face of goal that reached Connor Smith at the far post but his blazed his effort over the bar when well placed.

WHITBY TOWN 0 - LEEK TOWN 1 HT

The second half began with Whitby looking to assert themselves but were caught offside a couple of times by a disciplined Leek back line whilst on the one occasion they did get round the back Curl was well placed to cut out any danger.

Liam Buckley was the first player to go into the referees book on 57mins when he brought down Chimalilo in full flight and could have no complaints but the Seasiders were unable to take advantage from the free kick with a header falling wide for a goal kick.

Chimalilo had another effort comfortably saved by Visser on 62mins before a quick break from the Blues saw Weirs clever flick release Owolabi. He outpaced his marker into the area but Bland did well to come out and save at the strikers feet.

Owolabi was not to be denied moments later, however, as Leek attacked down the left with Owolabi and Hurst combining well to move the ball forward. Hurst avoided a challenge just outside the area before slipping a pass sideways to Leigh with an opportunity to shoot. His drive was blocked by a Whitby defender but Owolabi was first to the loose ball to lash it home from about 12yards giving Bland no chance.

Owolabi remained in the thick of the action and picked up a yellow card after dragging Gell to the ground with the Whitby man lashing out in retaliation to catch Owolabi in the face right in front of the referee but receiving no card himself to the amazement of the Leek supporters and players.

Gell was eventually booked not long after for a foul on Owolabi, which could have been his second, before Heath created a chance for himself with a neat turn and his left footed shot deflected for a corner. This was taken short to Weir who whipped a great delivery into the 6yd box which found Owolabi only 3yds out but it seemed to catch him by surprise and he was unable to prevent his header flying narrowly over the bar.

Both sides made a flurry of substitutions in the final quarter of the game but it was the Leek replacements who had the greater. Impact. Ollie Shenton and Adam Porter were straight into the action showing plenty of energy and good touches and they were to create the Blues final goal after 86mins. Shenton found Porter overlapping on the right and he produced a pinpoint cross onto the head of Heath who buried it beyond Bland to make the final score 3-0 and cement a fine away win.

WHITBY TOWN 0 - LEEK TOWN 3 FT

REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

An excellent win for the Blues against a Whitby Town who had only lost once in the last eight games and had previously beaten league leaders Rylands the previous week. The Blues now have the relative luxury of a full week to prepare for the home game against Workington AFC, before they embark on a very punishing December with 6 games in total of 24 days

You can get your ticket for the home game against Workington HERE

Media Gallery Courtesy of Jim Booth HERE

Match Highlights can be viewed HERE