Midlands Women's League

Belper 0, Leek Ladies 1XI 1

Staffs Cup

Leek Ladies 1XI 7, Uttoxeter 0

CONSECUTIVE clean sheets earned Leek Hockey Club's top women's side safe passage in the Staffs Cup and lifted them up to fourth in Division Two of the Midlands League.

In Saturday's narrow league victory at Belper, the home side's patience paid off midway through the first half thanks to a well-rehearsed short corner routine.

After several passes, the ball reached skipper Hazel Meredith.

She left the Belper keeper stranded before flicking the ball past the defender on the line to give Leek a well-deserved lead.

Belper then pushed for the equaliser and keeper Sam Ferguson faced two one-on-one attacks.

But the stopper closed down the strikers sufficiently to force both efforts wide.

In the second half, Leek pressure almost paid off from another short corner.

Katie James pulled the ball out to Laura Askew, who passed to Meredith. But this time the excellent drag flick effort was saved.

However, Leek comfortably played out the remaining minutes to bag all the points.

Against lower division Uttoxeter, the Leek side started as firm favourites in Sunday's Staffs Cup tie.

And the form-book held true as the Moorlanders ran out convincing winners.

Leek used the opportunity to practice short corners and enjoyed a high conversion rate. Askew stopped the ball at the top of the D for Meredith, who slotted into the bottom corner for the opener.

Leek were then awarded a penalty flick and the skipper rolled the ball home for 2-0 and her second of the game.

Meredith claimed her hat-rick just before half-time with a powerful shot.

In the second half, Leek continued to play the ball around with pace and accuracy and Becca Bailey finished of a fine move to make it 4-0.

Sam Dunn added a fifth before Askew and Lauren Ferns completed the rout.

Staffs Women's League

Division One

Leek Ladies 2XI 2, Uttoxeter 3

A GOAL two minutes from time denied Leek a share of the points against Uttoxeter.

Slow-starting Leek paid the price for their lethargy early on when a Uttoxeter forward sped through the defence and calmly powered a shot home.

The Moorlands outfit were lucky not to be more than one goal down at half-time after Uttoxeter twice hit the post twice and Hannah Boulton was called upon to make a number of great saves.

It was not until Uttoxeter doubled their lead early in the second half that Leek started to produce the quality of hockey they are used to.

After winning their first short corner, Jenny Cordon's first-time shot flew just inside the right-hand post for 2-1.

Leek continued to attack and, from another short corner, Cordon again found the net following a one-two with Meg Walton.

Kirsty Sales, Meg Walton and Zoe Johnson continued to give their all to try to force a winner, but a late strike from the fast-attacking Uttoxeter forwards sealed Leek's fate.

Stone Ladies 1XI 5, Leek Ladies 3XI 0

TABLE-TOPPING Stone ran out comfortable winners, despite a determined display from the thirds.

From the off, Stone showed why they have been so dominant this term.

The league leaders demonstrated strong movement and swift accurate passing.

But Leek remained strong and pressurised Stone throughout their passages of play.

In possession, Leek showed glimpses of good attacking play and at times had Stone's defence busy.

Stone took the lead from a short corner and doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, again from a short corner.

Leek almost scored themselves when Nikki Locket powered into the D, but Vicky Simpson's shot drifted wide.

After half-time, Leek stayed strong – closing down Stone at every opportunity.

But, despite a hard-working and battling performance from the thirds, Stone remained dominant and went on to score a further three goals.