Long Eaton:- Rollson, Chambers (Howe 85), McGinty (Spencer 75), Allsop, Watts, McCall, Bonnick, Burton, North (Downie 70), Steadman, Fowkes

The Blues were without Michael Buckley (injured) and Marc Stryzewski, with Mat McCall back in midfield. On a very good playing surface , the Blues played excellent football ,controlling the first 15 minutes.

Channon North had a glorious chance to put the Blues ahead after 5 min but after being put through by Danny Chambers could only see his shot cannon off the legs of keeper Lee Ashworth to safety. Courtney Bonnick and Alex Steadman linked up well , with Bonnick testing keeper Ashworth with a shot on the turn.

Against the run of play Liversedge went ahead when a poor clearance by Paul McGinty was returned into the box and Nicky Boshell fired a shot across keeper Marc Rollson into the net. This lifted the home side , with skipper Craig Shuttleworth taking control of the midfield and it was from his cross that Brooke Newton headed home , although there was some slack marking by the Blues defence.

The game was now end to end and both sides squandered good chances before the break.

Half Time Liversedge 2 Long Eaton 0

The home side forced the pace in the early part of the second half, with Newton and Luke Sherman going close. The Blues rode the storm with Allsop and Steadman having shots cleared by the home defence.

Scott Downie was introduced and engineered what was to be the turning point of the game when he was pulled down by keeper Ashworth for a penalty, but from the resulting spot kick, Mat McCall’s shot was turned round the post by keeper Ashworth ( this his first miss in 9 attempts).

5 minutes from time, in a rare breakaway by the home side, keeper Rollson was adjudged to have pulled Nicky Boshell down in the area, a harsh decision, but up stepped Bushell to send Rollson the wrong way to make the sore 3-0.

A hardworking display by the Blues, who were certainly not inferior to their top six opponents

Final Score Liversedge 3 Long Eaton 0

For pictures from todays match click below

Rollins, Chambers, McGinty, Allsop, Watts, Burton, Buckley, Stryzewski, North, Staedman, Fowkes (Bonnick 80)
Subs: Newton, Spencer

Referee Mr K Hayward (Liecester)

The Blues welcomed back Michael Buckley but were without Mat McCall (unavailable) Nathan Parker and Scott Downie through injury, with Ben Burton making a start on the left.

In a torrential hailstorm which left the surface like a skating rink, the visitors, fighting for points to avoid relegation defied there lowly league position and were the first to press, testing the Blues defence with captain Nick Robinso and Craig Bridge making good runs but unable to test keeper Marc Rollston.

The Blues settled and Alex Steadman unleashed a powerful shot on the run which keeper Paul McGann did well to palm away before he was again in action blocking shot from Ben Burton with his legs. Graham Fowkes just failed to get on the end of a Michael Buckley cross before McGann again kept his goal intact with another fine save from Channon North.

The visitors were still looking dangerous but Mickey Allsop and Josh Watts held firm at the back, the half finishing with Alex Steadman wasting the chance of the half , blazing the ball over after turning his man in the box.


HALF TIME LONG EATON 0 LINCOLN MOORLANDS 0

The visitors had the advantage of the wind at the restart and went ahead on 50 minutes. The dangerous Craig Bridge picked the ball up out wide, turned inside full back Paul McGinty and curled in a beautiful shot beyond the outstretched hands of keeper Rollson into the top corner of the net.

Lincoln went further ahead a few minutes later when Josh Watts misjudged a headed clearance, the ball dropping to Bridges, who cleverly turned Mickey Allsop and fired a low shot past keeper Rollson.

The Blues came back, but could not break down the Lincoln defence with both Alex Steadman and Michael Buckley having shots blocked, to leave the Blues facing defeat, with still a lot of work to do to reach that top six spot.

LONG EATON 0 LINCOLN MOORLANDS 2

Click below for picture of the game

Source: Long Eaton Advertiser

Long Eaton United Ladies hopes of promotion from the East Midlands Division One suffered a huge blow as they were beaton 2 - 0 by Hinckley United in their final game of the season.

Despite having led the division for most of the season, the ladies needed to beat Hinckley to secure the runners up spot for promotion but they now must wait for other teams to finish their games who could overtake them in the standings.

"It looks like we will finish third but we're hanhing on to that runners-up spot and hoping" manager Kevin Hancock said. "I am disappointed but it's just one of those things and it shows we punched above our weight at the start of the season. We played some quite good football against Hinckley but we gave a silly goal away and then thier second was offside. I truth though we didn't vreate many chances and we didn't seem to get the rub of the green"

Winterton Ranger 4 v 2 Long Eaton United

Long Eaton:- Rollson, Chambrs, McGinty, Allsop, Watts, McCall (Spencer80), Newton (North 46), Stryzewski, Bonnick, Steadman, Fowkes, Parker. Referee Mr C.Evans (Leeds)

Long Eaton travelled to champions elect, Winterton Rangers without the injured Michael Buckley,Ben Burton and Scott Downie, with Nathan Parker , carrying a thigh strain on the bench.

The Blues kicked off facing a gale force wind and driving rain and got off to the worst possible start going behind after only two minutes. A hard cross from winger Greg Archer was deflected past keeper Marc Rollson off the shoulder of Josh Watts, the ball flying into the corner of the net.

With the Blues penned back in their own half , Rollson was kept busy making a fine save from a Nathan Would free kick, the loose ball being knocked over the line by Archer who fortunately for the Blues was ruled off side. Shots reigned in from all angles, with Rollson performing heroics to deny 40 goal Rob Northen , twice,Greg Archer and Andy Holt, with Holt then clipping the top of the bar with an easy chance.

The half time whistle could not come soon enough for the overworked Blues defence who through dogged defending, a little luck and some poor finishing went in at the break only the one goal down.

HALF TIME Winterton 1 v 0 Long Eaton

The tables were turned at the start of the second half with Channon North replacing Adam Newton, giving the Blues more fire power up front. Coutney Bonnick had a near post shot well saved and Graham Fowkes went close with a shot from the angle of the area but it was the home side who doubled their lead on 60 minutes, the unfortunate Josh Watts could only help the ball over the line after Marc Rollson had made a fine save, palming the ball onto the post,which then came back and struck Watts.

The Blues, who had been on top for most of the second half replied two minutes later when Marc Stryzewski scored direct from a corner, the ball going over the line despite a gallant effort by full back Stuart Robinson trying to clear. The Blues now had their tales up and it was no surprise when they equalized again through Stryzewski. He played a short corner to Graham Fowkes, and from the return pass fired in a magnificent shot from the edge of the area into the corner of the net leaving keeper Ben Simpson clutching thin air.

At this point the Blues looked the likely winners but the home side showed their quality on the break and went in front again with a overhead kick by Dave Recardo from a Greg Archer corner. With the final minutes ticking by ,the Blues threw everything at their hosts and Steadman was brought down in the box by Matthew Plant, but referee Evans, at least 40 yards behind play, waved play on and then to rub salt into the wound allowed Andy Holt , clearly in an off side position, to go on and round keeper Rollson to give the home side a flattering 4-2 win.

FULL TIME Winterton 4 v 2 Long Eaton

An excallant performance from all of the Blues who surely on the second half display deserved at least a draw for their efforts from their high flying opponents.

It was a pleasure to go to Winterton whose ground and facilities are worthy of Conference status and to be made so welcome by their committee and supporters who are so proud of their achievements.

For photos of the match click below

The teams were made up from managers and parents from Long Eaton United. The two sides had to contend with blustery winds and sleet at times. The game was played with Great Spirit by both sides and was enjoyed by those who watched. The game ended 3 – 1 to the Blue/Orange team.

If anyone would like a copy then please email me and I will send you the full version and the cropped version. Please include the image number (this can be found at the top left of the large image) 
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