LONG EATON UTD 2-0 EASTWOOD CFC

Long Eaton Utd.......2 (Robinson 41', Walker 66' pen)
Eastwood CFC..........0

Five changes from the draw with Deeping Rangers, half of them enforced. Kelly started his ban, Sam Meakin was away and Jack Messom was unavailable. Finn Hunter was working plus Joe Harrison (COVID matters) McKenna Parton, Kyle Stovell, Ellis Chambers, Luke Slater and Callum Jones all start. Kamani Wilson dropped to the bench alongside Bita Kiza, Tom Plummer and the returning Kaylum Mitchell. Just the nine 1st Team players missing today. Lavell White is still injured, Ben Stokes and Kyle Wrenn are serving the final game of their respective suspensions,

It took 2 pitch inspections close to the scheduled KO time for Mr Friend to finally announce that the game would go ahead much to the appreciation of both teams and the large crowd that had gathered at Grange Park. Conditions were tricky underfoot as both teams tried to cope in difficult circumstances.

Long Eaton took early control of possession inside the first quarter of an hour as they laid seige to the visiting goal. An early Mitchell Robinson cross forced Louis Anthony into a last-ditch clearance and Jamie Walker then tested Warren Squires with a swirling cross which the ‘keeper did well to retrieve. Larell King was next to try his luck and mid way through the half United almost took the lead. Keiran Walker’s long throw was only partially cleared to Tom Marshall on the edge of the box. His header forced Squires into a last-ditch tip over the bar.

Shortly after, the other Marshall, Alex, came mightily close, latching onto a through ball from Walker. Finding himself on a one-on-one with the ‘keeper with a great chance to open the lead but Squires again showed his mettle, stood big to save the shot from close range and avert the danger.

Kyle Dixon and McKenna Parton were becoming combative in midfield ensuring that the supply to Walker and Co didn’t materialise into many goalscoring opportunities. Not a bad plan of action considering the front duo had bagged 39 goals between them prior to today's game.

Robinson opened the scoring for the hosts in the 41st minute rising highest at the far post to meet a Tom Marshall corner and his header found the net through a host of defenders.

The Red Badgers could have easily entered the half time break on level terms. Ben Henderson, out wide left, twisted and turned Brad Gilbert inside out and unleashed a shot towards goal from just outside the box. The Blues custodian Sam Wilson could only watch as the ball rebounded off the crossbar and to safety. A mighty let off for the League leaders.

1-0 at the break, and, despite the weather not a bad game of football.

The visitors started the second period brightly with Kyle Stovell and Henderson on their toes and lively and Romaine Graham and Danny Gordon were kept busy although, to be fair, the Badgers attacks were all on the counter. 2 minutes in and Stovell got the better of Ward but Graham rescued his teamate and stopped the Eastwood forward with a nicely timed tackle. On 51 Parton looked to guide his shot into the bottom left corner with a cute strike but his effort trickled past the post. Two minutes later, the home side were denied by the crossbar. Alex Marshall latched onto a deep pass Graham pass and sent a wicked strike towards goal but the woodwork came to the Squires' aid.

No such luck for the visitors midway through the half. Parton upended Tom Marshall in the box which gave the Blues an opportunity to double their lead. Parton was booked for his troubles and Jamie Walker tucked the ball beyond Squires effortlessly.

The muddy midfield battle continued with neither side making further breakthroughs. Lots of obvious tired legs in the latter stages as the game drew to a close but not before Eastwood substitute Kaylum Mitchell, got the better of Brad Wilson, cut inside the box and fired off a shot on goal which just about cleared the near post. The final chance of the match fell to the feet of Callum Jones on 88. A loose ball was sent into the danger area by Dixon and deflected goalwards by Jones but Wilson was equal to it and saved with ease.

Another fine all-round effort from the Badgers against a fine football team sitting proudly atop the table enjoying a long unbeaten league run.
Many positive signs of more togetherness, desire and belief. The future looks bright for this Squad.

It was good to hear opposing Manager Ian Deakin in his post match YouTube interview referring to Eastwood as a "good team with some good players". A generously nice touch.

Joint Gaffer Paul Rockley had this to say :~ "Credit to Long Eaton who came out deserved winners. I felt we competed well against them but the difference was that we didn't take capitalise on our key moments and missing a great opportunity when Ben Henderson hit the bar to potentially change the game and to go in at HT 1-1"

"LEU took their chances on an extremely difficult pitch given the conditions and credit to their ground staff for getting the game on. I think over the course of the game just that extra bit of quality was the difference between the sides and more experience showed in game Management. However - good learning lessons for what it takes to be in that position further down the line"

Att ~ 175
Referee ~ Matthew Friend.
Assistants ~ David Henfrey and Barry Polkey.

Long Eaton Utd ~ Sam Wilson, Brad Gilbert, Sam Parker, Danny Gordon, Romaine Graham (C) KIern Walker, Larell King, Mitch Robinson (James Taylor 75') Alex Marshall (James Shaw 54') Tom Marshall, Jamie Walker (Klein Genwero 80')
Sustitutes not used ~ Ben Hutchinson and Marly Fearon.
Caution ~ Alex Marshall (30' foul)

Eastwood CFC~ Warren Squires, Jacob Sturgess (C) Louis Anthony, Ellis Chambers, Connor Wrenn, Callum Jones, Kyle Dixon, McKenna Parton, Ben Henderson (Kaylum Mitchell 70’) Luke Slater (Kamani Wilson 82’) Kyle Stovell.
Substitutes not used ~ Tom Plummer and Bita Kiza.
Cautions ~ Stovell (31' foul) Parton (65’ foul) Sturgess (66' dissent) Henderson (68’)