SILKMEN PROVE TO STRONG FOR BLUES

Blues’ boss Wayne Johnson missed Leek’s first pre-season friendly attending a family wedding and it’s probably just as well as his side finished on the end of a 7-1 hammering.

Macclesfield manager Gary Simpson brought his full first team squad to Harrison Park on Saturday and although Leek battled bravely they were outclassed by the slick Silkmen who gave them a lesson in finishing.

Leek gave games to no fewer than 19 players but they were totally outclassed by their League two neighbours who netted seven times and could also afford to miss a penalty.

Leek battled bravely but they were no match for their opponents as Silkmen’s striker Emile Sinclair netted a hat trick in less than 30 minutes.

Paul Rutter had an effort ruled out for offside but Blues rarely troubled the Macc keeper throughout the opening half.

Leek looked better in the second period when both clubs made wholesale changes but the visitors continues to call the tune and the goals kept piling up.

However, after Blues had gone 6-0 down Steve Brannan netted a well taken consolation, whilst Dan Cope missed with a header and a one-on-one with the keeper.

No doubt Johnson and coach Paul Macari will hold a post mortem on the game ahead of the next friendly at home to Port Vale on Wednesday 7.30pm when skipper, Andy Taylor will be missing after having four stitches in his head following a clash in the game against Macclesfield.

BLUES BAG BRADBURY

Leek Town manager Wayne Johnson has moved to fill the gap left by departing Nick Ward by signing highly rated central defender Matt Bradbury from Stone Dominos.

Bradbury, 22, played in the home friendly against Macclesfield on Saturday alongside trialist Paul Wadsworth who plays in the Stockport Sunday league.

Blues also gave a game to midfield trialist Bobby Gee, 22, who played at Woodley Sports last season and has also been on the books at Hyde United and Curzon Ashton.

In the absence through injury of Steve Hodgson, Blues gave half a game each to local keepers, John Ritchie and Gary Goodwin who played one game for Blues last season at Stamford.

EVO-STIK LEAGUE CUP DRAWS

Leek Town have been given a bye from the preliminary round of the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup but have plucked the plum fixture in the preliminary round of the Presidents Cup with Chester FC visiting Harrison Park on Tuesday 21 September.

Chester were born out of the demise of Chester City who went out of business during the summer but it appears their fan-base is still intact as evidenced by their large following at a pre-season friendly at Colwyn Bay earlier this month.

Unfortunately, trouble broke out during the game and arrests were made leaving the North Wales Police to cancel Chester’s other games at Rhyl and Airbus in the interests of crowd safety.