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Long Eaton United v Arnold Town 14 August 2007 |
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After last Saturdays possitive start to the season we were keen to continue the momentum and pleased to have a chance to play again tonight.
Some changes were forced and others made to tonights team with Steve Smith and Paul McGinty being unavailable and Micheal Buckley taking his place on the bench to give Scott Downie his first start of the season.Ashley Whelehan made his debut in the Long Eaton goal. The 16 year old keeper has had a good pre season and with the absence of Steve Smith due to work committments, we were confident Ashley was ready to step into the strating line up.
Team : Ashley Whelehan, Danny Beldham, Adam Holmes, Micky Allsop (c), Matt Hallam, Marc Strzyzewski, Nathan Parker, Alex Steadman, Scott Downie, Ben Roffey, Graham Fowkes..... Subs : David Wilkinson, Matt McCaul, Michael Buckley.
"First half didnt really ever spring into action. The game was played at a decent pace but both sides looked a little nervous" "Beldham hammered a low ball into the area from the free kick but Long Eaton werent able to get the necessary tap in"
The first had Downie working the channels and as he accelerated into the area the Arnold defender made a last ditch tackle which he just about got right. The second penalty appeal seemed more clear cut....Downie again got clear of the Arnold defence with his pace and the keepers challenge was, to be polite, a crude challenge ! The referee's assistant signalled a free kick and the Arnold keeper ended up with a yellow card....both dubious decisions ! Beldham hammered a low ball into the area from the free kick but Long Eaton werent able to get the necessary tap in.
Downie won another free kick when the Arnold captain clearly pulled him back and again received a yellow card for the offence. Strzyzewski took the free kick quickly from 30 yards and his curling shot went narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.
A good move through midfield led to Strzyzewski swinging in a ball from the left which looked to end with a goal but Roffey couldnt get a toe to it and the ball ran out for a goal kick.
Both sides were settling down but neither could come up with the little bit of quality to find the back of the net and they went in at half time even.
HALF TIME SCORE LONG EATON UNITED 0 - 0 Arnold Town
Within a minute of the kick off Strzyzewski played a great ball out of midfield
It was just what the game needed and instantly Arnold seemed to find a spark. They replied with some good passing football and now seemed a more determined opponent. Arnold gingerly peppered the Long Eaton goal but nothing that Whelehan wasnt up to dealing with and again he made a good punch with a crowd in front of him.
Long Eaton made 2 substitutions on 66mins with David Wilkinson and Michael Buckley coming on for Scott Downie and Ben Roffey. Buckley got staright into the action and could have made an instant impact. His side footed shoot from the edge of the area was saved by the keepers legs. Wilkinson also had a chance in his first 5 mins when a mix up between the Arnold keeper and defender left an open goal but Wilkinson was knocked off balance with the open goal at his mercy.
Arnold were turning the screw in search of their equaliser but the Long Eaton defence was looking well in control. The tough tackling Nathan Parker was keeping the Arnold players 'occupied' and earned a yellow card for his efforts to keep them quiet.
In the last ten minutes Arnold tried desparately to bring themselves on level terms but on several occassions the Long Eaton players made last ditch tackles, interceptions and blocks. Steadman did well and showed his maturity and strength in taking the pressure off by running the ball into the corners and taking a few knocks for his attempts. However Im sure the complete squads efforts will have been more than worthwhile because the referees whistle signalled the end of the game and Long Eatons second victory of the season and one which took them to the top of the table.
'Well done The Blues'
FULL TIME SCORE LONG EATON UNITED 1 - 0 Arnold Town
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