Hockey: Leek make losing start to campaign
LEEK were left to rue an umpiring oversight as they started their Men's Conference North season with a 1-0 defeat at rivals Belper.
A tight encounter between two sides adopting contrasting styles was settled in controversial fashion late in the second half.
Leek goalkeeper Mark Brazier produced a terrific save to deny the home attack, with the rebound hitting a Belper forward's leg, which should have been called as an infringement. However, play was allowed to continue and the hosts' striker lashed the ball home for the only goal of the game.
The Moorlanders, though, had failed to marry their aesthetically pleasing passing with a cutting edge to worry their near neighbours.
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Belper, in contrast, opted for a more direct route to goal, shooting from distance in the hope of capitalising on a deflection or own goal.
Leek eventually sprung into some sort of life in the second period, Paul Nixon at the heart of their best moments as he prompted and probed from the middle of the park.
Chances came and went, but Leek were then caught out on the counter as Belper benefited from a slice of good fortune to take the points.
Leek make their home bow on Sunday when they entertain Wakefield.
LEEK Men's third team shared the honours in a 2-2 draw with Stone seconds.
The Moorlanders appeared to be cruising towards victory after a first-half double left them 2-0 ahead.
But the visitors gradually moved through the gears and showed their clinical nature by converted a couple of chances shortly before the break to go in all-square.
Leek found a second wind after the interval, but although they carved out a number of good chances, they couldn't find a killer third goal.
LEEK fourths went nap to send rivals Stone home with their tails between their legs.
Leek dominated territory from the outset, and it was no surprise to see them lead 2-0 with first-half goals from Ben Thomas and Steve Whieldon.
The Moorlanders continued to play their free-flowing style in the second period, and were rewarded with another three goals to add to the tally.
A STIRRING second-half display enabled Leek fifths to return from Stone with an impressive 8-3 victory.
Jules Brooks' double and Andrew Machin had Leek on easy street in the opening stages.
But Stone launched a fightback to reduced the arrears to 3-2 at the break.
Robert Lawley extended Leek's lead, but after Stone had again given themselves a lifeline, the visitors upped the ante to make their class show.
Andy Spragg produced a couple of neat finishes, Gavin Sinclair made it seven and Phil Davis rounded off the scoring.
LEEK Ladies 1sts put the finishing touches to their pre-season schedule with a 2-2 draw against Stafford.
And they were forced to dig deep to share the spoils.
Stafford went into the half-time break two goals to the good, but Leek recovered with a penalty corner routine, before Emma Clowes rounding off the comeback with the all-important leveller.
Email your hockey reports to sports.editor@thesentinel.co.uk
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