Leek 7th team 0 : 0 Newport 4th team

Leek faced familiar opposition in the form of Newport 4th team who they had played in friendlies last season, before their team had joined the league.

Both teams started well and passed the ball around producing a reasonable standard of hockey. The Leek midfield was undoubtedly the stronger of the two with strength in every position and the wide players (Carl Plant and Andy Casey) having the beating of their markers going forward. Leek were fortunate to have Rob Lawley in centre midfield who was his usual industrious self and he was combining well Aaron Walker (who had another fantastic game) and Ian Wolvers to create attacking opportunities.

Leek went close to scoring on numerous occasions through Chris Taffe and Charlie Ward-Banner ( in particular though many short corners) throughout the game but were thwarted by good goal keeping and some desperate defending. At the other end of the pitch Reece Mason-Noon in goal pulled off some good saves and the back three of Richard Goodhead, Liam Brown and Eliyan Lahouni were superb in dealing with the Newport attacks. Eliyan Lahouni in particular put on a masterclass in defending, he dealt with every attack he needed to and joined the Leek attacks when possible earning him a unanimous vote for man of the match.

This was a well umpired game with players being spoken to when necessary and play being encouraged to continue. Although it was a relatively evenly matched game with some exciting end to end play, Leek will be the more disappointed not to have won all three points.