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Long Eaton United Reserves V Newmount 20/02/2008 |
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Team Long Eaton:
Danny Graves, Cal Richards, Ben Burton, Tom Widdowson, Jim Hewson {Capt.}, Scott Downie, Kimany Gregoire, Jay Hallam, Dorian Jenas, Courtney Bonnick & Michael Buckley.
A chilly mid-week encounter saw the Long Eaton Reserves welcome cup finalist Newmount to Grange Park. After a level opening to the game, it was Newmount who had the first real opportunity to score.. They cleverly worked their way to create an opening inside the Blues area, but Graves was equal to a powerfully struck shot which he turned around the post for a corner. Buckley looked at his sharpest as he tested the away side’s keeper twice The Blues upped the tempo and looked dangerous with their lightening raids on the visitor’s goal
It was one such express attack which lead to the home side striking the opening goal. The impressive Jenas {D} collected the ball wide left inside his own half. He ran at pace at the Newmount defence before being fouled. Up popped the muscular Gregoire to take the free kick. His left wing cross skilfully picked out Burton, who rose like a tin of John West to nod passed the hapless Newmount Keeper. The Blues were now rampant and it was not long before the flying Dorian Jenas was at it again. This time his surging run at the Newmount defence saw him speed pass 2 defenders before slotting a perfectly waited pass to Courtney Boom Boom Bonnick. Bonnick controlled the ball instantly, then unleashed a Tony Yeboah esq. screamer from all of 30yards which thundered into the opposition‘s net via the underside of the bar. It truly is a serious contender to goal of the season!
Half time 2 V 0
With the Blues in total control and looking to increase their advantage in the second half, it took an almighty clanger by the referee to bring Newmount into the game. A hopeful punt down field eluded the otherwise superb Long Eaton defenders. Immediately the ever alert Blues Keeper Graves reacted to the danger. The Newmount striker thudded his effort from point blank range straight at Graves, who realising he was outside his area , allowed the ball to cannon of his chest and away to safety. With the away bench howling for handball and a red card the referee coward to their demands and removed the dumbstruck Blues Keeper { a harsher decision you will do well to find}
The enforced changes for the Blues saw the lively Buckley replaced with Academy star Danny Chambers who volunteered to deputise as a make shift goal keeper. This now gave the away side the numerical advantage, but for all of there huff and puff they could not conquer he brilliant Chambers, who put in a masterful performance.
Then the inspirational Bonnick and the injured Downie were replaced with the fresher legs of Leon Jenas and new recruit Ben Wallace. The 2 subs made an immediate impact as first Wallace raced through the Newmount defence, but his lob finished the wrong side of the post. Then Wallace rose at the far post to meet a Dorian Jenas cross, but he headed over the bar. The hard working Leon Jenas got into the action as first a left foot strike from distanced went close, before his righted free-kick just clipped the outside of the upright.
Late on Newmount finally breeched the Long Eaton resistance when an otherwise near perfect performance from Burton was spoiled as his misplaced header was collected by a Newmount attacker and after a couple of deflections the ball feel to an unmarked Newmount striker who fired into an empty net. Any hope of a share of the points for Newmount was immediately dashed, as Burton raced down the left wing, turning defenders inside and out before unleashing an unstoppable strike from the left edge of the box which flew into the top right of the goal. The Grange faithful were in raptures with yet another contender for goal of the season and for Burton’s “Crouch Robot” dance celebration
Full time 3 V 1
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