Damage in the Box!: LONG EATON UNITED (Grange Park)

Today was one of those days. To begin with I was undecided until the last moment where I was heading. I wanted to do a game in the FA Vase, but I overslept, which meant options were rather limited due to time.

I decided to head for Long Eaton United, even though this went against my self imposed criteria of, when I can, trying to see games in the FA competitions that don't involve teams from the same league. United were hosting Lincoln Moorlands Railway who, with Long Eaton, play in the Northern Counties East Premier League.

The sat-nav said I was due to arrive at the ground around 1.30pm, but thanks to others drivers 'rubbernecking' an accident on the northbound M6, then the A50 near Sudbury being closed and traffic diverted, after being stationary for about 20 minutes, it was closer to 2.30pm when I arrived at the ground.

Another source of disappointment, after a rather stressful journey, was the lack of paper as there was no programme available. Bah! Luckily I did get a badge and the bacon cob and cup of coffee helped restore ones natural sunny disposition!! ** written with no sense of irony**

Grange Park is the home of Long Eaton and it is smart ground with a large Main Stand (named the Big Jim Stand) and a further seated stand on the opposite side, incorporating a separate block of seats for the Directors, but today this was empty.

The Blues were founding members of the Northern Counties League in 1982 but were demoted in 1989 due to a lack of floodlights, eventually installed in 1998, the club rejoined the league in 2002 and have been in the Premier League since 2004.

Goalscorer Shaun Rickford (10)
on the chase

Going into this game, Long Eaton were in the better form having won three of their first five league games, though they did get knocked out of the FA Cup at the very first hurdle, whilst Lincoln Moorlands Railway were rock bottom of the table, with a solitary point to show for their efforts. Perhaps a run in the Vase could get their season going.

In the end though the game went with form and in the end the homesters ran out comfortable winners. For long periods though it was a pretty even game and, without sounding too harsh, pretty dull.

The home wall is solid as a Moors
free kick is fired in

Admittedly Craig Turner in the Lincoln goal was the busier of the two 'keepers but a lot of his saves were routine stuff. Long Eaton took the lead after 30 minutes when, after The Moors defence tried to play offside, Blues skipper Shaun Rickford broke clear to smash the ball home.

The tie was eventually settled with two goals in two second half minutes. After 73 minutes and cross from the right was turned home at the far post by Matt Savage, then after 75 minutes, Savage then bagged his second when the ball came back off the crossbar and he had the simple task of heading home from about two yards.

In the next round, on 15th September, Long Eaton will travel to Radford.