Long Eaton:- Smith, Holmes (Chambers84), McGinty, Allsop, Watts, Stryzewski, Steadman (Weston 87), McCall, Buckley (Roffey 70), Fowkes

The Blues were looking to get back to winning ways for the away game at bottom club Thackley, with Josh Watts making his first start in place of the unavailable Mat Hallam and Manager craig Weston joining Danny Chambers on the bench.

The Blues had an early shock when they went behind in the 6th minute. The ball broke to Thackleys Nick Docherty ,who looked offside ,who then rifled a dipping volley over keeper Steve Smith into the far corner of the net.
Scott Downie was put through by Michael Buckley but was pulled up for off side before the home side increased their lead when Ben Omelia lost his marker and fired in a low cross which was touched in at the far post by Phil Holmes.

The Blues fought back with Scot Downie having a shot cleared off the line Buckley shooting narrowly over and Marc Stryzewski hitting the bar after being set up by Buckley but it was Thackley who went further ahead when Ben Omelia ronded keeper Steve Smith and netted easily.

Just before the break the Blues were close to pulling a goal back but Buckly’s shot was blocked by the keeper and Mat McCall’s follow up shot was blocked on the line.

HALF TIME THACKLEY 3 LONG EATON 0

For the second half and more pictures click below

Long Eaton United failed to make it 4 wins in a row with a 0 - 1 defeat at the hands of Hallam FC

With Nathan Parker injured Mat McCall made the starting line up along with Danny Beldham, on the bench was Ben Roffey, David Wilkinson and Scott Downie

Long Eaton United opened well and after 5 min an Alex Steadman cross was cleared off the line when keeper Scot Dinnegan was beaten, soon after Dinnegan was called into action when he saved a shot from Michael Buckley. This saw Hallam fight back and Chris Dickman should have done better than he did when his shot was fired over the bar after being set up by Rob Cam.

Several chances fell to Long Eaton United with Danny Beldham firing wide from a Buckley cross and then David Knagg clearing off the line from an Alex Steadman shot which also beat the keeper. On the stroke of half time the excellent Dinnegan made a fine double save from Graeme Fowkes and Alex Steadman to keep Hallam in the game.

HALF TIME Long Eaton 0 Hallam 0

Billy Rowley replaced Gavin Hunter for the visitors and he soon made his mark when setting up the powerful Tomlinson (the ex Retford Town forward) but his effort was narrowly wide. On 62 min , with Hallam now getting on top of the game, the visitors were awarded a penalty, when Adam Holmes brought down Tomlinson but the Blues were indebted to goalkeeper Steve Smith who made a fine save from the resulting spot kick taken by Chris Dickman.

The celebrations were short lived because in the next minute Rob Cam went on a fine solo run and scored with a shot which went in off the inside of the post to put the visitors in front. The Blues introduced all of their subs to try and pull the game back and it nearly came off when Scott Downie just failed to connect in front of goal and Dave Wilkinson fired over from the edge of the box but the visitors hung on to inflict the Blues first defeat of the season .

A disapointing result for the Blues who should have been home and dry by half time with the chances they created but Hallam must thank their goal keeper for keeping them in the game.

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You can see more pictures from the game by clicking the link below

Round 1 - Sat 11th Aug to Sun 12th Aug) Taken from the NCEL website newsletter

Derbyshire reigned supreme in the Premier Division after the opening round of fixtures with four clubs from that county in the top five.

Glapwell lived up to their pre-season hype as one of the sides favourite for promotion to the UniBond as they beat visitors Armthorpe Welfare 5-2 to head the table.

They had gone behind thanks to a Stuart Preston goal before Ian Brown and Matt Varley had put them ahead by the break and Craig Mitchell had made it 3-1 on 59 minutes.

James Walker halved the deficit nine minutes later to keep the game interesting until substitute Marc Sherlock's late double secured the victory for the Hall Corner side.

Premier Division newcomers South Normanton Athletic are in second after a 3-0 win at Brodsworth Welfare.

An Nathan Parker goal and a brace from Michael Buckley saw Long Eaton United beat Maltby Main 3-1 with Craig Archer grabbing the consolation for the away side.

Selby Town were the only side to stop it being a Derbyshire top four as they won 3-1 at Glasshoughton Welfare.

Mickleover Sports complete the top five with a 2-0 victory at Eccleshill United on Sunday with strikes from Adam Betteridge and Richard Bailey.

There were also opening day victories for Liversedge and Parkgate.

Sedge were single goal winners at home to Thackley whilst a Caine Cheetham double saw last year's Division One champions Parkgate claim a 2-1 victory over visitors Arnold Town.

The remaining three top flight games finished level with Winterton Rangers and Pickering Town playing out a goalless draw, a last minute Paul Bedford strike saw Nostell Miners Welfare claim a 2-2 home draw with Shirebrook Town whilst Lincoln Moorlands Railway and Hallam shared six goals.