United’s return to league action Greenwich Avenue ended in defeat as they fell 0-1 to recently promoted Leek Town.

Brendon Daniels scored the game’s only goal early in the first half and the Ambers struggled to find a leveller as the Blues saw out the victory.

Only one change came from the heartbreaking late loss at Lancaster as Saul Deeney replaced Kieran Preston between the sticks.

The return to league action at the Avenue started just as it finished last season, with frantic action as both sides aimed for an early dagger, which Leek came the closest to five minutes in with one shot that rattled the post, followed by another that was only denied by a brilliant diving block from Nelson Aideyan.

Leek gained in confidence following the early chances, having most of the ball and keeping it in Basford’s half. The pressure paid off in the 15th minute as a well worked moved saw Daniels arrive at the near post and tap the ball home from a cross that gave Deeney no chance.

Danger continued to follow the Ambers as both Alex Hurst and Ollie Shenton came close to doubling the lead with two almost identical clear chances that trickled past the goal post. The Ambers followed this up with a golden chance of their own however as Ash Chambers looked certain to level the score but a fingertip save from Dino Visser saw it smash the post instead.
Despite the Ambers growing into the game, there wasn’t any clear chances that threatened a leveller and the visitors went into the tunnel one ahead.

There was a lull of action as the whistle blew again, as the Ambers couldn’t make the most of the several corners they were awarded and large share of possession. Leek however saw the first big chance from a corner but the header was off target.

United’s first chance was an agonising one as a ball whipped perfectly across the box by Victor Nierennold somehow evaded three Ambers from an otherwise easy tap in. At the other end Tim Grice looked to be through on goal following a defensive mix up, but he was forced to shoot early and a fine save by Deeney denied the Leek number nine.

As the game entered added time, a speculative effort from Kacy Butterfield took a wicked defection and came close to sneaking past Visser. The chance just about marked the end of the match as the whistle confirmed another disappointing game for Basford.

STARTING XI: Saul Deeney, Victor Nierennold, Henri Wilder, Matt Thornhill (Harvey Ridgley, 87’) Nelson Aideyan (Josh Barnes, 69’), Ethan Stewart, Kane Richards (Tyler Dacres, 77’), Kacy Butterfield, Ash Chambers, Jordan Hallam, Tyrell Waite (Rev James, 77’)

SUBS (not used): Kieran Preston (GK)

ATT: 404

WRITTEN BY CALLUM WRIGHT