Leek’s Lee Valley Dream Comes to an End

Leek hosted Hertfordshire side Blueharts in the semi-final of the Tier 2 England Hockey Mixed knockout competition on Sunday. With another home draw, Leek were well supported by a strong crowd at the pitch. Blueharts started the game with the ball and Leek struggled to get it off them: their free flowing passing opened Leek up easily and they were soon under pressure. 5 minutes into the game, this pressure paid off for Blueharts as they were able to win their first short corner of the game. Fortunately for Leek, the Blueharts’ routine broke down, however, they were able to capitalise on the loose ball and deflect it goalward. Leek’s Nicola Wealleans managed to scramble back and just about keep the ball the right side of the line. However, the visitors kept this pressure for the next 5 minutes of the game before winning another short corner; this time their routine paid off as the striker found the injector again who slapped the ball on target. Thanks to some brave defending, Leek saw an escape as the shot found the body of Nicola Wealleans. Unfortunately, the resulting short corner gave Blueharts the opportunity to perfect the routine and they managed to threat the ball past a rushing Wealleans and diving James Williamson.

Leek tried to wrestle some momentum and attack forward, however, were limited to a few skirmishes into the Blueharts’ half. The visitors were soon to press again and the defensive four of Millie Bradbury, Pete James, Nicola Wealleans and Richard Vincent did their best to keep them out of the Leek ‘D’. Unfortunately, another short corner was conceded by the home side. The resulting drag flick could only be deflected by James Williamson onto Ricard Corden’s foot on the left post, with the ball rebounding kindly for the visitors to double their advantage. Leek looked to respond immediately. A weaving run from Corden led to a fine reverse stick shot from the top ‘D’, although only the side netting could be found. As Leek tried to grab this momentum, the visitors tried to counter back but fine team defending left the Leek goal largely untroubled and the home side went into the break 2-0 down.

Following a strong team talk from the senior players Leek knew the improvements they needed to make. Pushing together as a more cohesive unit they looked to exert pressure on the visitors, with the ball free flowing between the centre midfield of Dan O’Neill, Richard Corden and Ed Whittaker. These were expertly supported by wingers Ella Bray, Alex Whittaker, Abi Hall, in both attack and defence. As Leek managed to retain more of the ball, they found the forwards of Reuben Hatcher, Adam Knott, Lydia Murffin and Jenny Evans more freely in the higher part of the pitch. It was one of these spells of pressure that saw Knott with space in the ‘D’, having forced the visiting Keeper into one fine save; with a relatively open goal he could only find the cross bar. This attack gave Blueharts a second wind and they managed to break through with a 2 on 1. As they passed around the advancing Leek keeper, covering defend Tom Povey couldn’t prevent the visiting team increasing their lead to 3. In response, Leek now pressed even harder and enjoyed good time in front of the home crowd in the visitor’s ‘D’. Unfortunately for Leek, the Blueharts’ keeper was having the game of his life and made some remarkable saves.

With 7 minutes to go and a 3-goal deficit to overcome, Leek captain Williamson chose to substitute himself off for an extra outfield attacker in the hope this would aid Leek in making a dent in the deficit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be as Blueharts got the possession of the ball back and kept it, passing around a hard-working Leek team to find the open goal. In the dying minutes, Leek managed to scrape a goal back with a broken short corner routine looped over the logging Blueharts’ keeper to deny him his clean sheet.

Although the team are disappointed to not reach the final of a National Cup, they take great pride in knowing how far they have come. No Leek team has reached a national semi-final in recent years, and the team grew as a collective unit along the journey again. As always, they appreciate the support given to them by of everyone at the club.