Johnson demands better of the Blues

By dom mills

IMPRESS during pre-season – or risk losing your shirt, says Leek Town manager Wayne Johnson.

The Blues take on a youthful Port Vale side at Harrison Park tonight following Saturday's 7-1 drubbing at home to Macclesfield Town.

And Johnson is looking for trialists and established players to stake a claim for a first team berth at the big kick-off on August 21.

The Blues boss said: "That's the current squad as well.

"We had 22 in training the other day and I told them 'You've no friends here. Whoever it is will want your shirt'.

"For the next couple of weeks I'll have a look at everyone.

"We have had a good response from trialists.

"Some are perhaps not good enough – and maybe they know that.

"But I'm not going to say that until they've had a chance."

Johnson is still looking out for talent – and reportedly has several possible additions.

But one definite new arrival is highly-rated central defender Matt Bradbury, who arrives from Stone Dominoes.

Bradbury, aged 22, was given a baptism of fire against Macclesfield alongside trialist Paul Wadsworth, from the Stockport Sunday League.

The Blues also fielded midfielder Bobby Gee, aged 22, who turned out for Woodley Sports last season and has formerly been on the books at Hyde United and Curzon Ashton.

Macclesfield were quickly into their stride with ex-Nottingham Forest striker Emile Sinclair bagging a hat-trick in under 30 minutes.

Simpson opened his account in the fourth minute, before Blues striker Paul Rutter had an effort ruled out for offside.

The visitors missed a penalty in the 13th minute when Richard Butcher lifted his spot-kick over the crossbar after Andy Taylor tripped Sam Wedgbury.

But the miss was soon forgotten when Sinclair netted his second on 17 minutes.

And the striker claimed his hat-trick in the 28th minute to leave Leek floundering.

The Silkmen extended their lead five minutes from the break when Sinclair turned provider – setting up Tyrone Barnett.

Both sides made wholesale changes in the second half and the Blues fared a little better.

Macclesfield still added a fifth through Adam Roberts before Dan Cope wasted a good chance.

The visitors went further ahead in the 75th minute when Shaun Brisley netted with a towering header.

However, Leek netted a consolation goal two minutes later.

A mistake by the Macclesfield's defence let in Steve Brannan, who raced into the six-yard box to net from a tight angle after selling the keeper a dummy.

Andy Nicholls completed the scoring with Macclesfield's seventh on 79 minutes.

Leek had one final chance, but trialist Wadsworth clipped the top of the crossbar.

Johnson, who missed Saturday's game after attending his brother's wedding, added: "The scoreline wasn't good, but it was a good day for the club and brought a lot of money in."