Leek Town left it extremely late to end a run of five games without a win as Lucas Weirs strike in the 95th minute earned a much needed victory over Cleethorpes Town; a win which lifted the Blues out of the Pitching In Northern Premier League relegation places.

Leek have lost so many points this season to late goals, namely Guiseley, Stocksbridge, Prescot and Lancaster, so it was a welcome change for the Blues to be on the right side for once, although it was a win that was merited in the way that a depleted home side fought back after going a goal behind and never gave up despite failing to convert a number of second half chances.

Leek were arguably missing five first teamers from the starting line up for this tough looking fixture. Already without long term absentee Olly Heywood the Blues were without Callum Leigh and Liam Edwards for this game whilst Billy Reeves and Alex Hurst were only deemed fit enough to take a place on the bench. It meant a debut for new signing Jack Stafford at left wing back and a full home debut for central defender Cullen Meadowcroft as the home side lined up with five at the back with a midfield three of Adam Porter, Lucas Weir and Ollie Shenton behind a front two of Louis Potts and Tunde Owolabi.

Cleethorpes had recently paid a transfer fee to sign Liam Hughes from Worksop Town and the striker added to the considerable height advantage the Owls enjoyed over their hosts. This was evident in the opening half an hour that Cleethorpes edged, looking particularly threatening on set pieces. A number of corners and free kicks were delivered into the area and the likes of Hughes and centre backs Jamie Blunden and Callum Foster were able to climb highest to win the initial ball but the Leek defence were alert enough to win the knock downs and second balls or were able to exert enough pressure to ensure the attacking header sailed over the crossbar.

Bailey Conway fired in a volley that took a bounce before finding its way through to Dino Visser for the save before Julius NDene and Stafford got in important blocks as the visitors looked the more likely side and a goal for them felt imminent the way the game was going.

However, when it arrived after 27mins it was a gift that was presented to them by a defensive mix up between Visser and Meadowcroft. Aaron Braithwaite instigated a quick break from defence for the Owls carrying the ball from the edge of his area to just over the half way line. His ball forward looking for Josh Walker looked as if it would be dealt with by Meadowcroft, but with Visser also coming out to meet it there was hesitancy between the two teammates which allowed Walker to nip in and poke the ball past Visser before taking it on and rolling it into an empty net.

Up to this point Leek had shown nothing from an attacking perspective with a 22yd free kick from Weir on 13mins their only effort; although he came close with the ball just clearing the Clee crossbar.

It wasn’t until the 34th minute that the Blues sparked into life prompted by the strong forward running of Owolabi who latched onto a flick on from Potts to win the hosts first corner of the game as his low cross was put behind. The corner was delivered long into the area where Meadowcroft challenged and the ball looped into the air. Owls goalkeeper Ollie Battersby came for it but was well short as Potts rose to head the ball over him but, unluckily for Leek, it was narrowly over the bar.

Two minutes later and Owolabi was set free down the Leek left and his powerful run took him into the area past a couple of defenders before the strikers effort was saved by the feet of Battersby at his near post.

The home fans were finally encouraged and found their voices as they roared Owolabi on as he again attacked the Owls defence on the left on 39mins. This time he found Ollie Shenton with a square pass inside the area but the midfielder took too long in trying to get his shot away and was barged off the ball from behind; a challenge that drew half hearted appeals for a penalty that would have been harsh if it had been given.

Leek were having their best spell of the half and it culminated in the equaliser arriving on 44mins with a fine individual Owolabi effort. The striker showed terrific determination in chasing a ball played down the left channel and making up ground to get to, and win the ball from, James Blunden to be able to take it into the area and curl a lovely finish around Battersby and into the far corner.

Owolabi was then yellow carded by removing his shirt as he got carried away in the celebrations as the sides went into the break all square.

LEEK TOWN 1 - CLEETHORPES TOWN 1 HT

With their tails still up after drawing level just before half time Leek started the second half strongly, taking the game to their opponents.

Stafford, who was having an impressive debut at left wing back both from a defensive and attacking viewpoint, led a counterattack on 47mins bursting forward with the ball to approach the Clee penalty area before finding Potts who had pulled off his defender. Potts fired goalwards but his low effort was saved by Battersby who had narrowed the angle.

Another Leek break saw Meadowcroft carry the ball out from the back and play the ball up to Shenton who produced a sublime first time flick right into the path of Buckley overlapping on the right. His low cross was put behind by the stretched leg of an Owls defender and although the corner came to nothing the momentum was clearly with the home side who then missed a great opportunity to take the lead on 54mins.

A break down the left flank saw another flicked pass, this time from Potts into Weir, who managed to touch the ball past the last man. However Owolabi was also close by inside the area and, seemingly with just Battersby to beat, there was a moments hesitation as both Weir and Owolabi left the ball to each other before Weir finally took possession. However, by that time a couple of defenders had managed to recover ground to block the path to goal for Weir, and when he squared the ball to Owolabi it was slightly behind the striker so that the time he had turned there was a red shirt there to block his shot.

Undeterred the Blues pressed forward again with Weir showing great energy in supporting an attack down the left and delivering a dangerous low ball across the face of the 6yard box that was put behind for a corner. This was half cleared to the edge of the area where Shenton saw his right footed shot blocked inside the area and cleared. The ball was picked up by Leek and worked down the right before Porter delivered a swirling cross to the far post that Stafford threw himself at but was unable to get a touch from a couple of yards out.

Another Leek move on 63mins saw the ball worked back to Porter on the edge of the area but whilst his first time shot was well hit it was straight into the arms of Battersby who was well placed.

There was a worrying feeling about Leek not having scored whilst being so on top as this is what had happened in the Boxing Day fixture against Stocksbridge and the Blues were served a warning when Clee substitute Jack Vann blazed over from just inside the area after 72mins after running in to meet a pull back.

The visitors also had a couple of dangerous looking attacks but Tom Curl produced a couple of magnificent last ditch challenges coming away with the ball each time to the applause of the home fans.

Substitutions were coming thick and fast for both sides to interrupt the flow of the game and it was beginning to look as though the game would end in a draw although Connor Heath came close when Stafford and Weir broke down the Leek left to deliver a ball into the near post that the substitute took well but was unable to force it home past Battersby.

Leek got a final chance in the last minute of time added on after having won a free kick. Weir delivered the ball towards the edge of the area where it was cleared to Stafford. Instead of returning the ball straight away he held it up before finding Weir, who was running unchecked into the area and the midfielder hit a low left footed effort across Battersby and in off the far post to spark wild celebrations from fans and team mates alike. Leek held out for a further 2 minutes before the referee called time on an entertaining game.

LEEK TOWN 2 - CLEETHORPES TOWN 1 FT

MATCH REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

So a first home league win in 2026 for the Blues as they came from behind to beat a very good Cleethorpes, no rest for the wicked as we have another quick turnaround with the visit of Hyde United on Tuesday evening (20th January) with a 7:45pm kick off.

You can get your tickets HERE ON FANBASE

Match Photogallery courtesy of Jim Booth HERE