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Long Eaton United Res. V Allestree Town |
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Long Eaton:
Danny Graves, Callum Richards, Mark Smith, Liam Howe {Capt.}, Lynton Francis, Joe Steed, David Wilkinson, Jason Hallam, Alex Hooley, Colin Dewhurst & Tom Widdowson.
Subs:
James Collins, Daniel Kilbourne & Tom Booth
With the first team depleted and Dorian Jenas attending a wedding and Leon Jenas out through injury, the reserves were without 6 of there regular starters and so it was an ideal opportunity to reward some of the Academy players plus new signing Joe Steed with a call up for Saturday’s match against Allestree.
On a well worn pitch and with a strong cross wind, conditions were not conducive to free flowing football.
Allestree started the game with more urgency, as Long Eaton started like a team which hasn’t played for a while. Allestree had the territorial advantage and despite the award of several corner kicks, they never tested the Blues keeper Graves, who was resplendent in his tangerine jersey and matching tights!
Mid-way through the first half Long Eaton settled into the match. Academy star Francis should have opened the scoring when he received a Steed corner inside the Allestree area, but his shot lacked any real power and the away team’s defence manage to scramble the ball off the line. Debutant Steed looked menacing every time he got the ball and it was he who created Blues next clear chance, when after some neat work out wide on the right, he picked out Widdowson 8 yards from goal, but his header just went the wrong side of the upright when he really should have scored. The same pairing inked up again 5 minutes later with an identical result. Then with half time looming Steed danced through the Allestree defence, but with just the keeper to beat he placed his shot wide of the target.
Half time 0-0
The second half mirrored the first as Long Eaton kept pushing for an opener. On the hour mark Daniel Kilbourne the first of Long Eaton’s subs was brought on and made an immediate impact. Picking the ball up deep in his own half, he powered forward evading several challenges, but the attack fizzled out. Then the remaining Long Eaton subs James Collins and Tom Booth came on and they too got involved in the action. First Booth latched onto a through ball, he rounded the on rushing Allestree keeper before picking out Dewhurst whose shot was cleared. Then Collins played an exquisite pass to find Steed, but he could not find the net and then in injury time a Booth corner fizzed at chest height across the Allestree 6 yard line eluding everyone.
Result 0-0
Long Eaton manager Leigh Booth was pleased with performance, especially from the 4 Academy boys and with the effort the whole team put in. At times they created some wonderful intricate passing football. I am always happy with a clean sheet particularly with a very young squad which were put together at short notice, but we should easily have had all 3 points.
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