Leek Town ended pre-season 2022 with a fine 2-0 win against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Nantwich Town.
Second-half goals from defender Regan Brown and attacker Will Saxon mean that the Blues will head to Bootle for their opening game in the Pitching In Northern Premier League West division next Saturday full of confidence.
The game was peppered with chances as Dan Trickett-Smith, Sean Cooke, Rob Stevenson, and Joe Mwaslie all had chances to score in the opening hour of the game, but, nobody could find a way past the respective goalkeepers as they stood firm between the sticks.
However, on 77 minutes that all changed when Leek full-back Brown got forward before hitting a fantastic strike from just inside the area, which left former Everton youngster Louis Gray no chance of saving the effort. It is a goal that he certainly enjoyed scoring and, one that he will remember for a long time to come.
The second goal of the afternoon came just moments before the full-time whistle when former Nantwich Town man Saxon swept home after some good work by Marc Grocott as the blues captain got down the wing before putting the ball on a plate for Saxon.
Elsewhere in the county, several of our sides were in Emirates FA Cup action on Saturday and most of them progressed into the preliminary round of the competition.
Congleton Town saw off Abbey Hey 4-0 thanks to a brace from Dan Needham, while captain Tom Pope and Darren Chadwick each got one goal to see the Bears comfortably through.
Hanley Town survived a scare to comfortably progress at Hereford Lads Club as they ran out 5-1 winners.
Kiea Cowley put the Herefordshire side ahead after just 10 minutes of play. However, two goals from Chris Dagnall, and one each from Reece Jones, Jake Avery and Jake Twyford saw Carl Dickinson’s men through to the next round where they will face Hinckley LR at home.
Newcastle Town were also able to progress in the competition as they won 2-1 at AFC Wulfrunians. Ethan Vale gave Newcastle a second-half lead before they were pegged back by the Midlands Football League side by Brad Suarman.
It looked like the two teams would have to replay their match at the Red Industries stadium on Tuesday until Jake Lovatt scored the winner with just five minutes to go. They will welcome Bedworth United to North Staffordshire in just under a fortnight.
Meanwhile, Macclesfield won 2-0 against Wythenshawe Town thanks to a brace from Alex Curran.
