4th team suffer their 1st defeat after last years promotion

Wolverhampton and Tettenhall 2s 5-1 Leek 4s

The opening game of the season following the much exalted promotion year saw a much changed Leek side succumb to defeat to the team that finished second to them last season and were also promoted. It was a game that Wolverhampton deserved to win for their clinical finishing but 5-1 was very harsh on a spirited and at times pretty skilful Leek team, who grew into the game, particularly in the second half.

The score at halftime was 3-1. A great finish from the Wolverhampton centre forward on the dive making it 1-0 and then two lapses in concentration in midfield left Leek wide open at the back for W&T to go 3-0 up. By this time Jasper Cooper had succumbed to injury and whilst he was to valiantly play the rest of the match up front as a ‘runner’, effectively left Leek with 10.5 players. Despite this, the silky skills of Morgan Rhead saw him advance past three defenders in the D before he was felled like a mighty Sequoia by the onrushing goalkeeper. Andrew Machin, who had a tremendous game, fought off advances from the skipper to calmly slot home the penalty. Dom Nield was increasingly influential down the left and also had a great game.

The second half was very even and Leek had chances to add to their tally but sadly it was W&T who added a 4th and 5th, one from a short corner and the other in open play. The game ended with the skipper encouraging Leek to focus on the game play rather than the score and there was lots to be proud of. Special mention to George Mounsey and Sam Smith, who stepped up a level and did not look out of place, to Tom Dale, a rock at the back, and to Charlie Swinson who played exceptionally well given most of the game he was in unfamiliar territory at right back. And to the cat in goal, big Jason Grant, my hat is off sir.