Leek Town
Matches
Sat 02 Oct 2021  ·  Northern Premier League - West
Ramsbottom United
0
2
Leek Town
Leek Town
BRIGHT BLUES OUTPLAY RAMSBOTTOM

BRIGHT BLUES OUTPLAY RAMSBOTTOM

Jonathan Eeles3 Oct 2021 - 15:49
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GOALS FROM HARRISON & SAXON SEAL WIN

On a cold and damp Saturday afternoon Leek Town took on Greater Manchester team Ramsbottom United for a Pitching In NPL West match. The Blues knew this this would be a tough away game for them, Rammy having made a solid start to the season, as well as drawing 0-0 with Widnes at their last outing at home and currently lying in 14th position in the NPL West. The match proved to be a bright Blues display with two fine goals from Harrison and Saxon that ensured the Blues took all three league points and moved up 6th in the league table.

The Blues management team were able to pick from an almost full Leek Town squad for the trip up to the Rams with only defender Scott Wara still injured. A good crowd of 248 saw an entertaining match with lots of chances, on a surface that was very soft with an unpredictable bounce. While the Rams started brightly with several chances in the first 5 minutes, it was Leek Town that began to dominate possession, on 8 minutes a slick passing move on the edge of the area gave a chance to Saxon but Stewart of Ramsbottom clawed it around the post for a corner. This resulted in a sustained spell of pressure for the Blues with Trickett-Smith a constant thorn in the Rams side.

Then on 24 minutes, Blues forward Tim Grice wrestled the ball of the Ramsbottom defence, broke free and just pulled his shot to the left having sent Stewart the wrong way, so nearly a goal to Leek Town. Then Will Saxon almost tapped in from a great Short cross from the right, despite these great chances somehow the score stayed 0-0. In a fast paced and end to end final twenty minutes, Leek continued to move the ball quickly and knocked several longer passes over the top in an effort to expose the Ramsbottom defence but with no success, though both Reeves and Harrison had further chances to score.

HT Ramsbottom United 0 - Leek Town 0

As the second half started, the weather took a turn for the worse, the Blues now facing into the wind and heavy rain. Leek immediately went on the attack, their midfield of Grocott and Reeves becoming dominant with a high press and a good chance to score did come to forward Grice, but he failed to score with a looping header and it was still 0 -0 despite Leek being well on top.

On 65 minutes, Blues substituted Wakefield for Short and soon afterwards Leek forwards Saxon and Trickett-Smith combined well and when the Rams failed to clear the ball, Olly Harrison was on hand to tap in an empty Ramsbottom goal to take the lead.

Leek tried hard to get another goal and Grice and Saxon both had great chances to beat Ram’s keeper Stewart from a few yards out on 70 minutes, as well having a clear penalty shout turned by referee Lewis Griffiths a few minutes later, somehow the Blues could not quite get that crucial second goal. With the weather still awful, Leek brought on the experienced Rob Stevenson and he quickly had a great chance to score but somehow Rams cleared the ball away again.

In the final minutes of the game, it was end to end play from both teams as Ramsbottom threw caution to the wind, most notable was a fine long shot from Rammmy substitute Ibrahim which drew an outstanding save from Blues goalkeeper Roberts. Then on 90 minutes, after some good play from the Stevenson, the ball fell to Blues winger Saxon, whose initial shot was saved but he then coolly controlled the ball, beat the defender and slotted the ball home from close range, Rams 0-2 to Leek. Soon after, referee Griffiths blew the whistle. A bright Blues away performance, two goals and a clean sheet, Leek Town continue their rise up the NPL West league table.

FT Ramsbottom United 0 - Leek Town 2

REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLDS

Leek now look forward to next Saturday when they will face Market Drayton Town in the Buildbase FA Trophy on 9 October.

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts
2. Bavanganga
3. Keenan
4. Grocott (c)
5. Harrison
6. Ryder
7. Short replaced by Wakefield (65)
8. Reeves
9. Grice replaced by Stevenson (82)
10. Trickett-Smith
11. Saxon

Substitutes : Booth, Dyer (unused)
Attendance : 248

Match highlights available here courtesy of Terry Boote.

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Oct 2021

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

248

Competition

Northern Premier League - West

League position

6
Leek Town
12
Ramsbottom United
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - F Ball & Co
Community  Partner - Leek Building Society
Club Sponsor - M + M Group
Club Sponsor - LILA Connect
Club Sponsor - Buxton and Leek College
Club Sponsor - Faulkner Powell
Club Partners - KMF Group
Club Sponsor - Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce
Club Sponsor - Railtrail Tours
Club Sponsor - MC Cleaning
Club Sponsor - MC Janitorial
Ladies Sponsors - Protech Electrical
Club Sponsor - LSGK Accountants