Leek Town Preview

This weekend we make the trip to Staffordshire for our away game with Leek Town, the fixture was confirmed following the Blues' exit of the FA Trophy in a home replay to Evo-Stik East side Stamford. Cleggy's boys will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Garstang in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy on penalties, in a performance that can be called lacklustre at best. Leek Town are one of the big boys in the division, having finished last season in 7th place in the Evo-Stik Southern Division. 20 years ago, they were competing in the Vauxhall Conference, the highest tier of non-league football. 30 years ago they also made it to Wembley for an FA Trophy final. Colls can only dream of such achievements, but these things take time. How soon is now? Neil Baker's men currently sit in 10th position going into the game following a 0-1 loss to league leaders Runcorn Linnets last weekend, Kristan Holt causing the onion bag to oscillate wildly early on. A number of cup replays has seen Leek only play 9 league games so far, they will be hoping winter is kind to them to avoid a late season fixture panic. After needing a replay to beat Northern Counties East Division One side Parkgate in the FA Cup, Leek were presented with a glamour tie away at Chorley. A big ask, The Magpies winning 3-0 with three first half goals in a game played in front of over 700 people. With Leek boasting the league's tightest defence, and not just by virtue of least games played, and Colls being the highest scoring team, well I wonder if this is the contest that will define the game? Centre-back and Captain Scott Lycett hobbled off with a hamstring injury last weekend, which may be a situtaion to keep an eye on for the Colls' management team. In September, Jordan Lemon and Nathan Whitehead left the club to move to Matlock Town, whilst William Reeves joined from Port Vale. It was really nothing. As Leek haven't scored themselves in their last three games, after going into the Linnets game unchanged, Baker may be tempted to change things around. Danger men for Leek are the exciting young forward Aaron Bott, with 5 league goals to his credit this season, the first two being for Newcastle Town and experienced British Virgin Islands striker Jordan Johnson. Former Liverpool starlet Dan Trickett-Smith has been a big miss in the goals department his season. For Colls, James Sigsworth remains at Ashton Town on loan, whilst Conor Gaul is still ill (well injured anyway). Having returned from injury last week, goalkeeper Greg Hartley is expected to have his hand in glove(s). We have noted some of the music crossover programmes that our counterparts have been producing and look forward to seeing what they have in store for us on that front. You've got everything now, I know it's over. Stop me if you think you've heard this one before. Date: Satureday November 10th Time: 15.00 Address: Harrison Park Macclesfield Road Leek Staffordshire ST13 8LD Prices: £8/£5/U16s Free