Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Leek Town

Gresley put a dent in one of the title favourites hopes of promotion with a fully deserved win over Leek Town at the Moat Ground.

Rain early in the morning and a sharp snow/hail shower before lunch had not done the Moat Ground surface any favours making it even heavier but it was playable.

Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill was forced into making a change to his side with Mitch Hanson still not recovered from his foot injury picked up against Stocksbridge in midweek. Jake Carlisle took his place alongside Jamie Barrett in the middle of the defence and Thornhill also included Luke Edwards who had missed the midweek game due a migraine.

Leek had suffered a midweek home defeat as Carlton came back from two down to win three-two and so Gresley were expecting arguably the toughest game at the Moat so far this season but it didn't really materialise as the visitors were largely reduced to some speculative long range shots and what shot's home keeper Liam Roberts had to deal with, he dealt with easily.

Gresley's back line were hardly tested all game and once they'd taken the lead at the end of the first half there only looked one winner of the game.

The first thirty minutes were a cagey affair as each side sized each other up and got used to the tricky conditions but it was the visitors who had the first half chance with Tim Grice firing in a low shot which Roberts dealt with comfortably.

There followed a lengthy delay as Leek's Ashley Jackson suffered a knee injury which caused him to be replaced by Paul Donnelly.

Gresley went close to opening the scoring when Edwards made a good run down the left putting a cross into the box but Alex Steadman's touch went the wrong side of the upright.

However, the Moatmen did take the lead in time added on at the end of the first period. Leek failed to clear a ball swung over into the area and O'Connell managed to fire his shot into the net.

Gresley were still pushing the visitors back at the start of the second half and they doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Steadman made a run into the area but a well timed tackle from a defender stopped him. However, the ball came out to Edwards who coolly returned it into the far bottom corner of the net.

It was no more than Gresley deserved and Leek seemed to drop their heads with the home side having several chances to extend their lead.

A corner from the right by Jack Langston was met by the head of substitute John Guy who had replaced the injured Carlisle but the ball flew just over the bar.

Langston curled in another corner and Barrett at the far post headed the ball back into the middle to Steadman whose header was held by Leek keeper Ben Chapman.

Gresley went close again moments later with a goal bound shot cleared off the line, the rebound from Martin Smyth blocked and Steadman putting the final effort wide of the open goal.

The game ended on a sour note as Leek substitute Tom Lowe, who had only been on the pitch less than two minutes, flattened O'Connell with a nasty tackle and referee Matthew Wilkes did not hesitate in showing a straight card.