Short stay without kicking a ball ...

It was a case of one in, one out for Neil Baker on Monday with the Blues boss, pictured, confirming that the defender had left Harrison Park without kicking a ball in a competitive game since signing last month.

The former Crewe midfielder, 28, who counts Altrincham and Bala among his previous clubs, left after deciding his immediate future was with National League outfit Chorley.

Meanwhile, Baker has offered terms to former Stockport and Winsford midfielder Harry Brazer who has been training with his squad for the upcoming EVO-STIK League West campaign.

The Blues are set to make the short trip to near neighbours Belper Town on Tuesday (7 August) for a 7.45pm kick-off after the Nailers asked the Northern Premier League for help finding a game and officials circulated their availability.

Baker's squad have already played their last two friendlies away from home, depleted sides winning at Whitchurch last week and drawing at Sheffield on Saturday.

Leading scorer Tim Grice netted a hat-trick in the 3-0 win at Whitchurch while Zeff Thomas opened the scoring at Sheffield, only for the home side to draw level mid-way through the opening half.

Baker said: “I thought we played very well at Whitchurch and took our goals well. We moved the ball about well and took our chances when they came along. However, in the Sheffield game we came up against much tougher opposition and we travelled with a vastly depleted squad devoid of no fewer than seven players."

He added: “At Sheffield we were able to give remaining squad members much needed game time. Although we started well, the game became much harder but we earned the draw."

Images courtesy of @leektown/Twitter

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