Hockey: Cordon unhappy with Leek performance

LEEK player-coach Scott Cordon found few positives after seeing his side lose 4-2 at Doncaster in National League Conference North.

Ben White put the Moorlanders ahead, but that was the highlight of their trip to Yorkshire as the home side hit back to win 4-2.

Leek captain Paul Nixon struck late on to reduce the deficit, but his goal did little to appease Cordon, pictured.

"We are very down about the way we played as individuals and, more importantly, as a team," said Cordon.

"We were out-fought and out-thought in the first half and showed a lack of conviction in all parts of our game.

"The second-half performance was an improvement, but it was too little too late. I expect the team to be hurting after this defeat."

Leek made the ideal start when White deflected home Nixon's shot in the second minute.

But Doncaster disrupted Leek's rhythm as the half wore on after targeting play-makers Nixon and Cordon in a bid to nullify the visitors' attacking threat.

Doncaster's pressure finally told in the 17th minute when Leek were caught napping at the back and Joe Morrison fired home from close range.

The hosts took the lead shortly before half-time when top scorer Tim Shelly converted a short corner.

Leek improved after the break, but Nixon was denied on two occasions by Doncaster keeper Ashley Watson before Cordon had a goal disallowed by the officials.

The decision rocked the Moorlanders and they soon found themselves 3-1 adrift to a Callum Stewart goal.

Leek threw men forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game, but their attacking intent left gaps at the back, which the home side exploited to add to their lead.

CREWE Vagrants edged out fellow North League Premier strugglers Kingston-upon-Hull 3-2.

Vagrants took the lead in the fifth minute through Mike Baddiley, but the visitors equalised on the quarter-hour. Four minutes later, Dave Holland converted James Capper's cross to re-establish Crewe's lead.

That was extended when James Meek fired home a short corner. Crewe keeper Andy Farr was called on to keep out a swift Hull break, while the visitors' stopper repeated the trick to deny Tim Alexander.

The home side struggled to impose themselves on proceedings in the second half and paid the penalty when Hull diverted home a corner to cut Crewe's lead.

Crewe were now under severe pressure, and Jon Woodhart and Mark Ritchie were needed to clear two drives off their goalline.

The hosts were losing possession far too often, but they weathered further Hull attacks to hold on for the win.

BARLASTON suffered last-minute heartbreak in a 2-1 West Midlands Division Two defeat at Bloxwich. Barlaston squandered a couple of early chances, and were made to rue the fact when Bloxwich counter-attacked clinically.

But Barlaston levelled in the second half when Tim Simcock ended a fine run with a precision finish.

They then appeared to be the team more likely to grab a winner.

But their hopes were shattered when Gareth Morris was sin-binned for arguing and, in the final moments, Richard Lewis diverted a cross into his own net to hand Bloxwich the points.

NORTH Stafford had a day to forget in the Bodykraft Midland Premier Division.

They slipped to a 5-2 defeat at Telford and Wrekin, their second successive defeat following last week's 7-0 thrashing by Oulton and West Warwick.

LEEK Ladies first team registered their fourth successive win, this time a 7-0 demolition of Bournville.

Laura Harrison scored twice in the opening half to put Leek in command, but they really turned on the style after the break.

Katie James added a third goal before Sam Dunn's flick put Leek 4-0 ahead.

Harrison completed her hat-trick and then a late double from Vicki Bradbury completed the rout.