Leek Town’s Leon Ashman eager for starts

Leek Town striker Leon Ashman has revealed he is hungry for a regular starting spot after scoring two goals on his 100^th appearance for the club.

Ashman scored a penalty and header either side of half-time in the Blues 2-2 draw with Romulus on Saturday.

But he said that he knows what to do to get regular starts in the side.

He said: “The managers philosophy is if you play well you are going to start and if you have any problems you can speak to him.

Leon Ashman

“It was nice to do well but it is a team effort because you can’t score goals on our own, you need others to provide you with chances.

“I knew I was close to my 100^th appearance but I didn’t know before the match so it makes it a little bit more special.”

Manager Cox said he was pleased for Ashman and added: “Leon (Ashman) really took his chance. He took the penalty really well and had a great finish and is playing well.”

In 100 appearances Ashman has only started in 48 of those matches, scoring 25 goals for the club in that time.

Cox describes Romulus performance as ‘best yet’

Leek Town manager Neil Cox said that his side’s 2-2 draw with Romulus was the best performance he has seen since joining the club in early October.

A goal in each half from striker Leon Ashman put the Blues into a 2-1 lead, before a spectacular effort meant that both side’s shared the points.

Cox said: “We had to change it around because I am trying to get results and it seemed to work out – but again we just lacked the rub of the green.

Neil Cox

“Leon (Ashman) really took his chance and hit it off with Anthony (Malbon) straight away.

“He took the penalty confidently, his second goal was a great finish and he is playing well and overall it was a great team performance.”

Cox gave a start to new-signing Anthony Malbon, who returned to the club for the rest of the season after spells at Port Vale and Newcastle Town, and Ashman said the pair have a good understanding.

Leon Ashman

He added: “It was the first time I have played with Anthony (Malbon), I was on the bench when he played at Leek last time.

“We seemed to just gell together really well – I held the ball up for him and he did the same for me.”

Leek face Rushall Olympic tonight (Nov 23) and Glapwell in the league on Saturday (Nov 27).

Leek Town boss delighted with first win

Leek Town served up new manager Neil Cox with his first win as the Blues came from a goal behind to beat Grantham at Harrison Park on Saturday (Oct 23).

Cox’s men converted two chances at the end of each half through Paul Rutter’s neat finish and substitute Leon Ashman’s power header to cancel out the visitors’ first half opener.

Neil Cox via club website

And Cox said that their 2-1 win was deserved.

He said: “ I thought we deserved it on second half performance but I was disappointed in particular with our first half showing.

“I changed things round during the break and brought James Brough on – then we looked more compact getting the ball down and passing it better.

“It was good to get my first win with two well-taken goals and the winner coming from two of the subs.

“Everyone is now fighting for their place with two of the lads coming back from suspension for the trip to Stamford on Saturday”.
 
 Leek: Hodgson, Shenton, P Taylor, M Johnson, Bradbury, Allen, Corden, C Millar, Rutter (Ashman 81), Cope (France 75), Miller (Brough 45). Subs not used: Cox, Heeps.

Grantham: Murray, Percicoe, Potts, Asher, Sucharewycz, Mullins, Glarvey, Robinson, Glass (Pritchard 78), Saunders, Carchedi (Milson 69). Subs not used: Lewis, Hallcro, Rhule.

Att: 274.