Leek Town: Johnson fuming after defeat

Friday, November 21, 2008, 08:02

MANAGER Wayne Johnson branded Saturday's defeat against 10-man Stocksbridge an 'embarrassment'.

The Blues were already two goals down when Stocksbridge's Matt Telling was given a straight red for a dangerous-looking tackle on Ben Mills. But despite playing a further 72 minutes with a one-man advantage, Town conceded two further goals either side of a Leon Ashman strike in the 4-1 loss.

Johnson was scathing in his assessment.

He said: "I thought I was signing players who wanted it as much as I do – well enough is enough.

"I've defended them over the last few weeks, but now it has to stop. I am embarrassed by the result and any player that is not similarly embarrassed against 10 men he should be.

"However, I am determined to turn this around, with or without the current squad. I'm looking for responsibility when I name the team. but with a few exceptions I'm not getting it.

"I picked what I thought was my best team on Saturday. but I didn't get the best out of them. We were sloppy in defence and conceded twice though basic mistakes. So, it's back to basics – I'm now looking for players who will give their all and if that means looking further afield then so be it."

After claiming just one point from the seven previous games, Johnson made a number of changes to Leek's starting 11.

Nick Ward returned to the centre of defence after completing his suspension, while new signing Andy Bourne was handed his debut after signing from Newcastle Town.

Influential midfielder Richard Bailey also returned to the starting line-up after recovering from an injury he picked up in September.

In a shaky opening, Leek found themselves a goal down in the 10th minute when Ben Kistell whipped in a cross and Carl Fothergill swept the ball into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later, the home side doubled their advantage after Leek failed to clear a long throw into the box and Andy Ring pounced to lash the loose ball home.

Leek were then thrown an 18th-minute life-line when Telling was dismissed for a foul on Mills, who needed lengthy treatment before continuing.

Mills had a great chance to reduce the arrears in the 27th minute when he latched on to a ball from Bailey. But his shot from inside the six-yard area was cleared off the line.

And things got worse for Town three minutes later when a defensive howler by Ashley Miller let in Fothergill, who gleefully netted his second on 30 minutes to leave Leek with a mountain to climb.

In an effort to exploit their one-man advantage, Johnson replaced himself and Miller at the break for Steve Brannan and Ashman as Blues changed formation to three at the back.

The changes gave Leek added impetus going forward. But despite incessant pressure on the Stocksbridge defence they managed just one goal.

The home side defended in numbers and, although Blues dominated the second period, their attacks broke down in and around the penalty box.

Ward went close with a header, Bourne sliced an effort wide and Brannan saw a shot hit a defender and then the keeper. Leek were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Ashman pulled a goal back after bundling the ball home following a 71st-minute goal-mouth scramble.

Wayne Corden was then introduced. And he provided the ammunition – crossing into the danger area on numerous occasions. Josh Thompson glanced a header wide and Bourne had a header well covered by the keeper as Leek continued to press.

But it was all over in the 83rd minute when Taylor was caught in possession and Jamie Vardy completed the scoring.

Ashman had a header harshly disallowed five minutes from time, but the strike would have been little more than a consolation for Town who have now lost three on the bounce and are just one point off second-bottom in the UniBond First Division South.

LEEK: Froggatt, Taylor, M Johnson, Ward, W Johnson, Miller, Edwards, Bourne, Thompson, Mills, Bailey. Subs: Brannan, Corden, Ashman, Allen, P Johnson.

Attendance: 133.