The Josh Brehaut era at Leek Town began with a comfortable 5-0 win over Grimsby Borough to help the Blues progress to the 2nd qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Brehaut took the reins as first team manager on Thursday night following the resignation of long-standing manager Neil Baker earlier in the week.
In a tight first half, the deadlock was broken just as the half-time brews were being prepared as a mistake by Grimsby Borough goalkeeper Liam Higton saw him misjudge the flight of the ball and, it allowed Rob Stevenson to nip in and roll the ball into an empty net.
Leek doubled their lead just 10 minutes into the second half when Stevenson turned provider as he got down the wing before playing the ball to Dan Trickett-Smith. The former Port Vale player slammed the ball home to get off the mark for the season and, more importantly, give Leek that bit of breathing space.
Any hopes of a Grimsby comeback were well and truly extinguished just four minutes later when Louis Keenan’s cross was flicked on by Ross Davidson to Trickett-Smith. Leek Town’s magic man controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley past Higton and, to be honest it was a strike no goalkeeper in the world would have been able to save.
They continued to ask questions of the Grimsby defence and, they got more answers on 65 minutes when a long free kick into the area caused an almighty scramble before the ball fell to Julius Ndene who saw his strike hit the unfortunate Callum Lovatt and, then the back of the net to make it 4-0.
Leek wrapped up the win with just seven minutes to go when the in-form Aaron Opoku latched onto a long ball forward before unleashing a powerful effort before Higton. That is the forward’s 4th goal in five games and, we are starting to see the best of the former Carlton Town forward.
Josh Brehaut’s men are the only team guaranteed to be through to the 2nd qualifying round as Hanley Town lost 3-0 at NPL Midlands side Anstey Nomads thanks to first-half goals from Nyal Blake, Louis Rose and Freddie Robinson. While Kidsgrove Athletic suffered their first loss of the season as they were beaten 2-0 by old Northern Premier League rivals Lincoln United.
Nantwich Town, meanwhile, need a replay with Midlands Football League side Shifnal Town following an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Swansway stadium in a game that included three penalties and a red card.
It was the underdogs who took the lead after just 11 minutes of play when a misplaced pass on the halfway line by Byron Harrison allowed Josh Thomas to break on the Nantwich defence. They just simply didn’t know how to deal with him and it allowed the midfielder to hit a shot beyond Scott Maloney.
Thankfully for Nantwich, they weren’t behind for too long as just four minutes later, Shifnal goalkeeper Yankuba Colley collided with Nantwich captain Troy Bourne as they both went for the ball. Therefore, it was a bit of a surprise that the referee pointed to the spot, not that Nantwich were complaining mind you. Harrison atoned for his earlier mistake and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to level up proceedings.
Both sides had chances to take the lead throughout the remainder of the first half but, it was Shifnal who were awarded the game’s second penalty in the third minute of first-half injury time when Joel Connolly brought down Joe Cuff. Up stepped Kyle Bennett but he saw his spot kick expertly saved by Maloney to send the two teams into the break on level terms.
It took just five minutes into the second half for the game’s third penalty to be awarded when Colley wiped out Harrison just inside the area giving Nantwich the chance to take the lead for the first time in the match. The former Cheltenham Town man brushed himself down to take the spot kick but, he fired it wide of the post.
The game’s final talking point came with just six minutes to go when Bourne was sent off for a second yellow card when he was dismissed for a coming together with one of the Shifnal strikers, after that, both sides had chances to win the game but, a winner wasn’t forthcoming.
In the Northern Premier League West, Newcastle Town were beaten 1-0 by 1874 Northwich thanks to a 33rd minute penalty from Jack Irlam. It’s a result that leaves Castle sitting 11th in the league table.
Over the border in Derbyshire, Buxton ran five past Darlington to make it three wins on the bounce.
A stunning first-half hat-trick from Sam Osborne was added to by a Jack McCourt penalty on 53 minutes before Diego De Girolamo got his first goal of the season in injury time to give Craig Elliot’s team a convincing win over the side from the North East.
Dropping down into the Midlands football league, Stone Old Alleynians are still searching for their first win of the season as they lost 1-0 to AFC Wulfrunians. Asa Charlton got the game’s only goal after just 30 minutes of play.
Finally, in the North West Counties League First Division South, Sandbach United grabbed an important win as they defeated Cheadle Heath Nomads 1-0 thanks to a goal from Will Booth after just two minutes of play.
Abbey Hulton United drew 0-0 at home to Ashville as did Alsager Town away at Eccleshall FC.
