Belper 1sts 6-0 Leek 1sts
LEEK firsts travelled the short distance to local rivals Belper, but left all their will and determination to win at home as they suffered a heavy defeat.
Belper started the game at a frantic pace, placing the Leek defence and midfield under sustained pressure, and these tactics soon paid dividends as an unmarked Belper player finished at the far post from a driven cross.
Lessons had not been learned and six minutes later, with Leek’s backs against the wall, an almost identical cross was again converted.
At 2-0 down Leek created their best chance of the afternoon, Dan O’Neil failing to finish at the far post when it would have been easier to score after receiving a pass from the hard-working White.
Instead of spurring Leek on, this seemed to deflate the team even more. with Belper adding a third again from a centred cross.
A shell-shocked Leek emerged from the half-time team talk looking to put right all of the wrongs in the first half, however Belper’s unrelenting pressure and Leek’s poor work ethic soon told as Leek conceded another two goals in quick succession.
With time running out, Leek’s frustrations grew, with Darlington receiving a yellow card for dissent.
With 10 men, Teek tried to keep the damage to a minimum, but Belper managed to add a sixth with only seconds remaining.
Sheffield Bankers 1sts 0-0 Leek 1sts
AFTER Saturday’s poor performance at Belper, Leek firsts were grateful of the opportunity to make amends away at Sheffield Bankers on the following day.
Leek started the game well, as reverting back to basics saw them move the ball around the defence and midfield at speed, showing glimpses of the type of hockey that they can play.
Leek’s best chance of the first half fell to Scott Cordon, who fired marginally wide unchallenged from the top of the D after a counter attacking move.
As in recent weeks, Leek’s inability to convert possession into goals was evident with Leek failing to convert three short corners through the first half.
Leek were looking more like the team that had elevated them to second in the league compared to the performance the day before at Belper.