MATCH PREVIEW: No leaks against Leek

The aim on Saturday will be to keep a first clean sheet of the season as Reds host last season’s NPL West champions, Leek Town at Borough Park.

Town won their division comfortably in April finishing with a ten-point advantage over runners-up Runcorn Linnets.  They scored 85 goals throughout their title winning campaign and Brendon Daniels’ strike earlier this week, Town’s first of this term, was enough to secure victory at Basford United.

That was their first win after an opening day home loss to Stockton Town.

Leek have pieced together a good record at Borough Park over the years whilst Reds have usually done well in Staffordshire.  The last two encounters during our promotion season produced a draw in Cumbria with a late Scott Allison goal securing a narrow victory at Harrison Park.

Mark Fell remained upbeat in midweek after the 1-1 draw against his former club, despite Lancaster City’s late, controversial equaliser.

It was a good performance against City, and certainly deserved the points, but the manager will emphasise that the situation that led to their leveller still had to be defended.

The Reds support was good for a midweek fixture and hopefully will increase on Saturday for what promises to be an entertaining NPL encounter.

After the first two rounds of fixtures, three teams – Stockton Town, Hebburn Town and Macclesfield – have obtained maximum points while three more – Warrington Rylands, Basford United and Matlock Town – have lost both their matches.

Kick-off: 3pm