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Long Eaton United v Micklover Sports - FA Cup Replay 4/09/2007 |
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 In an excellent cup tie both sides came out to stake a place in the next round, and the Blues almost scored in the first minute when Graham Fowles just couldn’t control the ball and tap it over the line after a Danny Beldham shot had been blocked.
Mickleover replied with efforts by David Holmes and Tony Laws going narrowly over before the visitors took the lead through Laws who beat keeper Steve Smith after good work by Jamie Barrett had put him clear and he beat Smith easily with the Blues defence static.
The visitors were having the better of the encounter but the Blues levelled on 37min with a Mat McCall penalty after Alex Steadman had been brought down. Mickleover went in front  again just before the break when Mat Hallam and keeper Smith both went for the same ball but allowed it to fall free to the delight of Tony Laws who netted his second of the night.
Josh Watts and David Wilkinson replaced Danny Beldham and Mat Hallam after the break and it only took the Blues 4min to get back on level terms, goalkeeper Richard Froggatt spilling an attempted clearance and Marc Styrzewski gratefully netted the loose ball.
 The game was now end to end and the lively Laws completed his hat-rick when he broke clear and rounded keeper Smith after Wilkinson had lost possession on the edge of the box. The Blues were not to be out done and they made it 3-3 with the best goal of the night from Alex Steadman who beat the visiting keeper with a blockbuster of a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.
Extra time looked on the cards until an uncharacteristic lack of concentration by the normally reliable Adam Holmes let in Laws, who squared the ball to Jamie Barrett who beat Smith with a low drive. A disappointing result for the Blues in what was one of the best games seen at Grange Park and credit must go to both sides for an excellent cup tie.
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