Match Preview for FC United's away match against Leek Town tomorrow afternoon in the Pitching In Northern Premier League.
FC United boss, Mark Beesley on last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hebburn Town: “I thought we created the better chances, certainly did enough to get the win in my opinion. Overall it was a pleasing performance against a strong side.
“It was an improvement on what we’ve seen in recent weeks which is a positive, but obviously we still a lot to work on.”
Following a 16 year hiatus from the Northern Premier League, 2023/24 Division One West champions Leek Town have had a respectable start to life at step 3 this season taking four wins and four draws from their opening 15 games. Former Head Academy coach at Port Vale, Blues manager Josh Brehaut took the reins at the F. Ball Community Stadium (Harrison Park) in August following the resignation of Neil Baker, who has since taken charge at Newcastle Town.
Leek have lost only one of their last five league games, following consecutive draws against Whitby and Hebburn Town. The Blues, however, have scored the second least goals (11) in the division this season, only ahead of bottom side Blyth Spartans (10).
Amongst the Leek squad is former on-loan FC striker Max Woodcock, who joined the club on a permanent basis this summer after he was released by Crewe Alexandra. Woodcock scored the only goal in Leek’s 1-0 win away at Lancaster City at the start of October.
Beesley on Leek Town: “They’re certainly holding their own in the league after getting promoted last season, they’re a team that don’t concede many goals.
“We are in no position to take any team lightly given where we are at the moment, so we’ll be treating it the same way we would for any game.”
As with Hebburn Town last month, it is the first ever competitive meeting between FC United and Leek Town. However, a trip to Harrison Park holds weight as the location of FC’s first ever league game against Leek County School Old Boys (CSOB).
Leek Town and Leek CSOB shared facilities at Harrison Park for several years, before CSOB’s plans to build a new stadium fell apart in the mid-2000s. A crowd of over 2500 saw FC run out 5-2 winners against CSOB in August 2005.