There wasn't much festive goodwill on show when Leek Town made the short trip to take on local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic for a Pitching In NPL West match at the Hollinwood Road stadium. The form table would go out of the window for the El Staffico and Neil Bakers men knew they would be in for a battle.

On the previous Saturday, the Blues played very well at home against second placed Warrington Rylands eventually running out 3-0 winners, goals coming from Dan Trickett-Smith and a couple from Rob Stevenson. It was an excellent all-round team performance and the Blues manager Neil Baker was clearly looking to get another positive result this time away in the league. Unfortunately, Baker was hampered by a few injuries and covid restrictions meaning Tim Grice and Olly Harrison were not available for selection.

The game proved to be a great advertisement for non league football with both teams giving 100%. A large crowd of 1100 saw a Leek Town side full of character to bounce back twice after the home team had taken the lead, the fine Blues goals came from Will Saxon in the first period and the Dan Trickett-Smith scoring two to seal the victory in a competitive and, at times, combative 3-2 win.

Kidsgrove showed their intent very early in the game with several heavy and full blooded tackles, and within the first 20mins Leek lost influential captain Marc Grocott to a very poor challenge from behind, the Blues already knew they were in for a battle and the task had just got harder. It was Kidsgrove who first had the ball in the net when a cross found Anthony Malbon in the Leek box, in an attempt to score he punched the ball into the net very reminiscent of Maradona but thankfully the officials had spotted it and ruled the goal out despite the remonstrations from the player.

As the game continued there was very little between the sides, and it was the home team that scored first on 32 minutes with Kieran Brown finishing calmly after juggling the ball from one foot to the other when the Leek defence had failed to clear the ball, Kidsgrove 1- 0 Leek. When Leek were allowed to play their football they were clearly the better side but numerous fouls and free kicks broke up the play, nevertheless several half chances fell to to Saxon, Trickett-Smith and Stevenson. The match continued to have a very competitive edge, but it was the skilful Will Saxon who equalised from a neat cut back from Jack Wakefield on 43 minutes, Kidsgrove 1 -1 Leek.

HT KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 1 - LEEK TOWN 1

In the second period, the home team started strongly and again took the lead again when on 54 minutes when Anthony Malbon scored with a fine half volley that flew over goalkeeper Danny Roberts, Kidsgrove 2-1 Leek. Again Leek had failed to clear a long ball that had been flicked on to find Malbon who stuck the ball very sweetly, ironically the ex Leek Town player had previously been booked for a poor challenge and should have been booked for his handball earlier in the game.

Leek had a mountain to climb and would need a mammoth effort to get anything out of the game, but within two minutes, after some great passing play in midfield, Leek again equalised through Dan Trickett-Smith who scored with a glancing downward header after a fine cross from Lewis Brownhill. For the the first time in the game the momentum had shifted and Leek were in the ascendency, they began to put heavy pressure on the home team who initially defended well with keeper Brown pulling off neat saves from Stevenson and Brownhill. The decisive goal came on 72 minutes when a sweeping move found Jack Wakefield on the left, he delivered a slide rule pass to the advancing Dan Trickett-Smith who cooly slotted the ball beneath the outstretched Brown, the goal was greeted by rapturous applause from the travelling Blue Army as the players swarmed to celebrate together.

In an attempt to manage the game and players injuries, Neil Baker introduced Lewis Short for Billy Reeves and changed the shape of the defence with Louis Keenan becoming a third central defender and Bavanganga and Short as wing backs. Leek still looked dangerous in possession and Kidsgrove were largely restricted to long balls down the middle, and on 90 minutes Leek made their final change with Lucas Baker replacing Will Saxon to make his competitive debut for the Blues.

The referee indicated a further 5 minutes of added time and when he did blow the final whistle the result was greeted by a roar of approval from the travelling fans and a victory roar from the Leek dug out. The Blues had deservedly taken the points in a gritty performance in the El Staffico.

FT KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 2 - LEEK TOWN 3

Leek Town return to Harrison Park on New Years Day with another local derby against Market Drayton Town.

REPORT BY LUKE REYNOLD

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts
2. Bavanganga
3. Keenan
4. Grocott (c) replaced by Brownhill (17)
5. Wara
6. Ryder
7. Wakefield
8. Reeves replaced by Short (80)
9. Saxon replaced by Baker (90)
10. Trickett-Smith
11. Stevenson

Substitutes : Booth, Livingston (unused)
Attendance : 1100

Match highlight with all the goals available here courtesy of Terry Boote