A clash at the bottom of the table brings an undeniable urgency as Leek Town welcomes Cleethorpes Town to the F. Ball Community Stadium on January 17, 2026. Both teams are in dire need of points; Leek sits perilously at 19th with just 25 points from 23 matches, while Cleethorpes clings to a mid-table position at 12th with only 30 points from one less game. The stakes couldn't be higher for Leek, who are searching for any signs of life after a dismal run that has seen them slide into the relegation zone.
Leek's form paints a grim picture-five matches without a win, culminating in a gut-wrenching string of results that include four losses and only one draw. Their latest defeat-a narrow 0-1 loss against United of Manchester-was a reminder of their struggles to find the back of the net; they've scored just once in their last five outings. This team is on its knees and needs someone to step up. Will it be home advantage or sheer desperation that sparks a revival?
Conversely, Cleethorpes enters this fixture following a mixed bag that includes two wins but also two losses in their last five games. Their most recent performance saw them drop points in a lackluster 0-2 defeat against Gainsborough Trinity, which halted some momentum they had built after defeating Workington and holding Hyde United to a draw. Although Cleethorpes has been inconsistent, they have managed to find offensive rhythm occasionally-evidenced by scoring multiple goals in key victories-but consistency remains their Achilles' heel.
Diving deeper into tactical insights reveals contrasting styles that could define this match-up. Leek Town, statistically speaking, has been abysmal offensively, averaging under a goal per match over their last five fixtures. They struggle not just in finishing but also creating opportunities, often finding themselves dominated in possession and shots taken. They need to flip this narrative quickly if they wish to keep their hopes alive.
In stark contrast, Cleethorpes holds an edge when it comes to shot efficiency and attacking creativity, averaging nearly ten shots per match over their last five games-with decent shot accuracy hovering around the mid-forty percentile. This gives them more chances not only to score but also sets them apart from Leek's stagnant approach. However, defensive lapses have cost them dearly-having conceded more than they would like-setting up what could become an intriguing tactical battle: can Leek capitalize on Cleethorpes' defensive frailties?
Key players will be pivotal here. For Leek Town, all eyes must be on their struggling forward line led by , whose creativity will be crucial if Leek hopes to penetrate Cleethorpes' backline. Meanwhile, Cleethorpes Town relies heavily on and his knack for finding space inside the box-he's been involved in several critical plays lately and could exploit Leek's weaknesses exposed by previous opponents.
With prior encounters indicating dominance from Cleethorpes (they triumphed 3-0 when these sides met earlier this season), Leek will undoubtedly face psychological barriers when taking on an opponent that knows how to dismantle them effectively. The ghost of past performances may loom large as both teams gear up for another showdown.
Ultimately, given both teams' trajectories heading into this clash-the desperate need for Leek coupled with Cleethorpes' slightly better form-it's hard not to lean towards an away victory for Cleethorpes Town here. Look for them to press early and assert control through midfield where they should outmatch their opposition, especially if they can exploit Leek's hesitance under pressure.
Expect goals; expect intensity; expect one side looking to avoid disaster while the other seeks stability in its mid-table mediocrity. It will come down not only to tactical nous but heart and desire-and right now, I give the nod to Cleethorpes with my hot take being: they'll emerge victorious by at least two clear goals as Leek continues its search for answers amid uncertainty.