7.30pm 27 January 2025
Staffordshire County Senior League, Premier Division
Newcastle Town reserves 3 Leek Town development 1 (att 62)
Below the professional ranks I rarely bother with reserve games, unless they use venues that don't routinely host first team football and are within easy reach for a midweek visit.
Newcastle Town's Roe Lane ground meets both those criteria. Their first team play elsewhere, no other senior side uses the facility, and getting to the floodlit 3G pitch is straightforward even in rush hour.
And, although this game featured two non-first teams, it was a fixture in a 'step seven' league.
The 3G is a recent addition at Roe Lane and is a typical set up. Spectators are accommodated along the length of the near side, while dugouts are positioned opposite. An adjacent building provides changing rooms as well as a place from where hot drinks were available.
The only thing missing was some cover for spectators, which on a wet and windy night would have been welcome. At least the artificial surface meant the match was never in any doubt.
Newcastle Town had the conditions in their favour in the first half and, thanks to a pair of well-taken goals, they led 2-0 by half time.
Unsurprisingly Leek had more of the game after the break, and pulled a goal back. But the home side always had the edge, and scored a late third goal for a deserved win.
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