Match Report  |  Leek Town vs Gresley FC

Unfortunately, this game will not be remembered for the football or the goals but rather for the dismissal of Gresley player-manager Gary Ricketts after reacting to some alleged racial abuse from an individual behind the goal that his side were defending. Ricketts saw red after climbing the fencing to confront the said individual who was eventually ejected by the home stewards.

Gresley made changes to the side that beat Pinxton with Jake Carlisle taking the right back slot due to Matt Roome's unavailability. Chris Richards, in his first game since returning to the club, was put on the left with Martin Smyth on the opposite side. Liam Holt partnered Jack Carlisle in the middle with Jean Dakouri on the bench.

The game itself was a not a classic but Gresley started brightly Chris Richards making some good early runs to get behind the Leek defence.

Jordan Ball had the first chance of the game when Rickett's chip found Ball who turned before hitting a low shot but Leek keeper Chris Martin stuck out a leg to deny the striker the opening goal.

Leek had a good chance themselves when a free kick from Dan Shelley seemed to be heading out of play on the right but Jon Beaumont managed to keep the ball in play and chipped a cross to Tim Grice but his header cleared the bar.

The home side took the lead with some clinical finishing. Jackson put over a good cross which was met by Grice running into the box who then powered his header past Rob Peet.

Leek almost made it two just a few minutes later when the impressive Omar Houghton made a good run down the left before hitting a low shot which Peet did well to block at his near post. The ball came out to Ash Jackson but the follow up shot flew wide of the far post.

The home side didn't have long to wait for their second goal. With Gresley pushing up a quick break caught them out with Dan Shelley darting down the right before sending in the perfect cross to Grice who made no mistake in ramming the ball home from close in.

The game ended on a sour note as Ricketts is shown the red card.

Leek came out for the second half looking for another goal and went very close. John Guy was caught with ball and Jackson, racing forward, slid the ball back to Grice who forces a good save from Peet. The ball comes out to Darren Chadwick but his effort is blocked on the line and then the next rebound is fired over by Houghton.

Gresley with just ten men are finding it difficult to cope with Leek as they press forward and they almost concede a third goal. A superb through ball from Niall Maguire send Grice on his way only to be denied by a good save from Peet.

Richards, who had gone a little quite, was sent down the left by Jack Langston's pass but as he cut into the area his shot flew across the face of goal and wide.

Gresley, who had struggled to create any meaningful chances had only their second effort on target when Ball hit a good shot which the largely untroubled Martin tipped over the bar.

The tired looking visitors, who had done well playing with only ten men for the whole of the second half, were undone again in time added on. Maguire was sent through and beat Peet with a shot from the edge of the box.