City enjoy Trophy triumph Lancaster City 1 Leek Town 0 FA Trophy

LANCASTER CITY edged their way through to the next round of the FATrophy after a hard fought win over Leek Town.

A second half strike from Lenny Reid on 54 minutes was enough tosee off their Unibond South rivals.

The swirling wind and constant rain meant that this match was nevergoing to be a classic. The visitors were wind assisted in the firsthalf but could not take their chances.

The Staffordshire side were on top for large parts of the secondhalf but some poor finishing from left winger Wayne Corden, who hadthree gilt-edged chances, meant City escaped punishment for notgetting on terms.

A disallowed headed goal from Leek captain Nick Ward, for a push onCity keeper Mark Thornley, only added to their frustration.

Thornley was pressed into action throughout the first half as Leekpiled the pressure on the home side, camping in their half andsimply not allowing them to settle.

City were always going to have it easier in the second half, whenthey would be playing with the wind. Man of the match Lee Dodgsonlooked particularly dangerous along with his fellow winger andeventual goal scorer Reid.

Dodgson was instrumental in most City attacks and it was inevitablethat he would have a hand in the winner.

After an electric run down the left, leaving the full-back fordead, he whipped in a cross to City striker Mark Jackson. His shotwas well saved but the ball fell to Reid who smashed it into theback of the net.

It could well have been even more comfortable. Jackson, Dave Fosterand Dominic Ward all had good efforts on goal, Ward and Fosterstriking narrowly over the bar while Jackson forced Leek stopperRichard Froggatt into making two smart saves.

Leek threw everything at City in search of an equaliser but Cityprevailed into the next round and a clash at home to Rugby onOctober 18.

Lancaster City: Thornley, Uberschar, Elderton, Marshall,Stringfellow, Heffernan, Reid (Entwisle 69), Ward, Foster(Helliwell 78), Jackson, Dodgson. Subs not used: Price, Rigby,Haddow.

Referee: Gordon Johnson

Attendance: 142

* THERE was disappointment for City last Tuesday when they wereknocked out of another cup competition when they lost 2-0 atRadcliffe Borough in the UniBond Challenge Cup.