On a slippery surface the Blues went ahead in the 7th minute through Alex Steadman who rifled a shot past keeper Danny Trueman after being set up by Channon North.

The Blues went further ahead on 12minutes after a fierce shot from Adam Newton had just cleared the bar ,Michael Buckley worked his way into the Thackley area and his shot was blocked ,the ball falling to Channon North, who was closely marked but he worked his way past two defenders and placed the ball into the bottom corner with keeper Trueman stranded.

Although 2-0 down the visitors were playing some good football and the Blues were indebted to keeper Wayne White who had to be at his best to deny Ben Omelia and then tipping a fierce Nicky Matthews shot over.

With the visitors still pressing it was the Blues who went further ahead when on 33min North dispossessed Matthew Mathers and laid the ball into the path of Alex Steadman who made no mistake to give the Blues a flattering 3-0 lead. Just before the break Wayne White again excelled himself with a fine save from Kyle Shah.

HALF TIME LONG EATON 3 Thackley 0

The Blues conceded a own goal on the restart when a attempted headed clearance by James Carder from a Kyle Shah free kick found the top corner of the net with keeper White stranded.

The visitors took heart from this and poured forward but it was Micheal Buckley who came closest to scoring but his left foot drive hit the bar and bounced to safety.

Thackley twice tested Wayne White but he was equal to shots from Shah and Omelia but he was finally beaten on 78 min when the excellent Joel Ettienne rifled a unstoppable volley into the roof of the net. The Blues defended doggedly for the remaining few minutes with young Josh Watts outstanding, and held out for 3 valuable points against opposition who defied their lowly league position.

FINAL SCORE LONG EATON 3 Thackley 2