Last 16 success for Leek Mixed

Saturday was all the the King's Corrination and the Leek Hockey Club End of season awards. However, Sunday was all about the mixed team and their last 16 match against Formby.
Leek started of the better team, keeping possession around the back with Katie James, Lydia Whittaker and Nic Wealleans. Rich Cordon who sat just in front of the back three was firing balls left right and centre which split the Formby midfield.
Skills from Joe knott allowed Leek to get their first few shots away but the Formby keeper stood strong. Leek did have the ball in the back of the net from a short corner however the shot by Rich Cordon was above the backboard and the goal was disallowed.
The Formby keeper continued to make some good saves Although he was not able to keep the ball out of the net when it fell to Jenny Evans who cooly finished into the bottom corner.
Formby started to get into the game. A short corner was fired passed skipper James Williamson to get the game back level.
Leek continued to play good hockey with the midfield taking control. Adam knott, Liv Bray and Ed Whittaker all keeping the ball and continuing to play short , sharp hockey which Leek is all about.

1-1 Half Time

Leek continued to play high up the pitch with Ben Mellor making some great runs. The ball was passed back to Rich Cordon on the halfway line who was tackled . The Formby centre forward ran all the way from the half way line and smashed the ball into the roof of the next. A great finish but one which should not have happened.

The game got a bit scrappy with the Formby team becoming aggressive. Adam knott tried to make a sliding tackle but sadly found himself in the sin bin for 2 minutes.
Leek started to get a hold of the game again. Relentless running from Alex Whittaker, Harry Mellor and Joe knott saw Leek starting to make promising attacks.

Formby were always a danger on the counter and Leek's keeper pulled off a few great saves to keep Leek in the tie. The midfield of Vincent and Bradbury continued to feed the forward with chances and Leek won a penalty corner. The ball was slipped to Ben Mellor on the left, who shot was deflected in by Joe knott.

The game finished 2-2 and it went straight to penalty flicks .

Formby went first. Jim's full length dived to his right and managed to save it. Rich Cordon stepped up for Leek and converted it into the top corner.
Formby's 2nd flick was converted well into the bottom right. Nic wealleans well taken flick was saved to keep the score at 1-1.
Jim came to the rescue again and saved their 3rd flick. Ed whittaker stepped up and squeezed the ball into the net. Formby's 4th flick was scored through the Leek keepers legs. Jenny Evans who scored in the game felt confident stepping up to her flick. However the Formby keeper saved it.
Jim Williamson had one last save in him which meant if Joe knott scored then Leek would be into the quarter final. That was what he did. Cooly finished into the right corner.

Well done to the mixed team who's road to Lee Valley continues.