Blues delight at double award

Leek Town's management team have scooped the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South ‘Manager of the Month’ award for September and also the September ‘Fair Play’ award for the second month running.

The management award was a very tight decision with several clubs in the frame including nearest rivals Stamford. But the conclusion of the panel was to give the award to Leek Town who, up to Wednesday’s League Cup reversal at Witton Albion, had a 100% record in League and Cup games.

The award of personalised Errea benchwear and a suitably inscribed certificate will be made to the management team prior to the Ilkeston game on Saturday 8th October.

Meanwhile, in the Fair Play category, Leek Town and Carlton Town could barely be separated as both clubs picked up just one caution in September in the four Evo-Stik games played.

Therefore, technical area behaviour marks were applied to determine the winner but this also failed to produce a winner with both management teams marked “Excellent” twice and “Good” twice.

The prize therefore went to the club with the better overall season to date record and that was Blues who had also won the August prize and have accumulated just five cautions in ten games.

Only Leek and Brigg Town, who lie in second place overall, are averaging less than one disciplinary point per game so far in the First Division South.

The ‘Fair Play’ award will also be presented prior to the home game against Ilkeston on Saturday.

Minor blow
Leek Town’s flying winger Richard Minor faces five months on the sidelines after damaging a knee in the recent home win over Coalville.

Minor was assessed by a physio on Saturday who diagnosed cartilage damage and surgery now seems the only option.

If confirmed by the specialist, this will be Minor’s third operation in an injury wrecked two-year spell.

Minor now joins striker Dan Cope on the long term injury list whilst three others are nearing full fitness.

Defender Aden Johnson (collar bone) will commence training next week, Ashley Woolliscroft (groin) began his comeback with a game in local football on Saturday but Mark Fitton faces a further three weeks on the side-lines recovering from ankle trouble.

Meanwhile, Blues’ veteran winger Wayne Corden is available for selection after completing three games getting match fit at Eccleshall where he scored twice for the North West Counties outfit on Saturday.

Dad Haddrell in 100-mile dash
Experienced Leek Town striker Matt Haddrell almost failed to make the FA Cup game at Deeping on Saturday after his wife Jody went into labour on the eve of the game.

Fortunately, Jody delivered a baby son in time for the big striker to start the game after he was driven to the outskirts of Peterborough in a 100-mile dash by assistant manager Lee Caswell.

Haddrell went on to turn in a ‘man of the match’ performance and celebrated the safe arrival of his son, Charlieray, with the opening goal. Charlieray is a welcome brother for older sisters Becky and Casey.

Coming up
On Tuesday, Leek return to league action with a game at Market Drayton Town who currently lie second bottom in the table after picking up just one point in the last six games.

Leek are likely to face former players, Matt Johnson, Jamie Haynes and central defender Matt Bradbury who has already played against Blues this season in their 1-0 home win over Newcastle Town.

Meanwhile, Blues face high flying Ilkeston Town at Harrison Park on Saturday 3.00pm, when a sizeable crowd is expected.

FA Cup
Blues reached the FA Cup Third Round Qualifying on Saturday following a 2-0 win over lower league Deeping Rangers on Saturday.

Leek last reached this stage of the competition back in the 2005 – 06 season when they defeated Thornaby 2-1 at Harrison park to set up a Fourth Round Qualifying tie at Conference National outfit Burton Albion, a game they lost by a 2-0 scoreline.

The draw will be made at Wembley on Monday at noon and will appear on the FA web-site around 1.00pm.

Thomson bowls them over
Leek Town staged the second in a series of Sportsman's Evenings last Friday when Australian bowling legend Jeff Thompson entertained over 100 guests.

It was a lively evening supported by former Birmingham, Luton, Derby, Chelsea and Wimbledon striker Mick Harford whilst Signal Radio Sports presenter George Andrews hosted the evening.

Monthly draw
The Leek Town Monthly Draw for September was made at Harrison Park on Friday and resulted in a record pay-out as follows:

1st Prize £350 No.61 Mr J Armett

2nd Prize £150 No.208 Mrs W Ball

3rd Prize £75 No.187 Mr D Owen; No.140 Leek Town U7's

4th Prize £35 No.17 Mr F Moran; No.156 Mr C Jennings; No.263 Mr E Hodkinson; No.190 Mr S Hill

The draw was conducted by Kelvin Barks and checked and verified by Matt Beeby.

There were a record 306 entries that resulted in a record top prize of £350 being presented together with increased prize money for second, third and fourth.

However, the club would love to see the jackpot go even higher and so more members are needed.

To join or to increase your chances of winning, then simply click the link on the home page for full details of how to join and an application form. http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leektown/