Grange Park, home of Long Eaton United based in Derbyshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the non league pyramid in the United Counties Premier Division North. The League season draws nearer and nearer! Only a few more pre-season games to go now and I shall continue that tonight with a trip to Long Eaton who host Dunkirk FC of the league below them.
The train from Shirebrook to Nottingham and now the bus to Long Eaton… And the weather has turned bad… And here I am in Denim shorts and a T-Shirt… If only the weather had stated that earlier on!!! But a bit of rain won’t hurt! Only a short walk to the ground in the end from the bus stop. £6 to watch this pre-season tie! Will it be worth it? Pin badge acquired! £3!
Kick Off! Straight out of the blocks from Long Eaton here! They come forward down the right, the ball is crossed in low towards Josh Lawe!! It’s in… But the flag is up and it won’t count… 3 minutes in and Long Eaton come forward again, a through ball to Micah Jebbison and he’s in… He scores!! That one will count! And it’s 1-0 to Long Eaton!
It’s great to see other groundhoppers here! I’ve only gone and bumped in to Martin who I met at Barnby Dun and Millmoor!! 13th minute and Dunkirk have a corner, in it comes… Number 4 is there at the back post!! 1-1!! Just like that! It’s an open game here with both teams showing that they are to be taken seriously and creating good opportunities.
23 minutes on the clock and Long Eaton come forward, Micah Jebbison has it in the box, he twists and turns… He’s brought down… It’s given! I 100% agree with the Referee there! It’s James Taylor to step up… And score!! 2-1!
31 minutes now and Long Eaton have a corner, in it comes… Micah Jebbison with the header… Wide. 1 minute later and Long Eaton have the ball in the Dunkirk half, it is played through to Jebbison again and he’s through on goal… Keeper saves! Corner, in it comes… The keeper misses it and it’s headed back across goal to number 5!! Just too high for him and Dunkirk clear.
42 minutes now and Micah Jebbison comes down the right wing for Long Eaton, he gets into the box and he crosses… He’s hit the bar!! It’s hit the Dunkirk defender coming in and…… It’s wide and only just… It is a corner for Long Eaton, played short and it’s crossed in… It’s shot wide by Long Eaton but it’s still in play and Long Eaton still have it on the left, it’s crossed in again towards Micah Jebbison at the back post… It’s wide! At half time the score remains 2-1.
Second half, 1 minute in and Dunkirk come forward now, they play down the right, crossed in towards number 7… he’s headed wide. The game has slowed down for the first time since it kicked off but will Dunkirk manage to force an equaliser?
63 minutes now and Micah Jebbison drives down the left hand side for Long Eaton, he cuts inside, he gets past the Dunkirk defence brilliantly and he’s through… He goes for the pass across goal and… Dunkirk clear! What a game Jebbison has had so far!!
68th minute and Long Eaton come forward again, the ball is played to James Shaw 20 yards out and he shoots… Good save by the keeper!! Corner for Long Eaton, played short and now crossed, Dunkirk clear.
76th minute and Long Eaton have the ball in midfield, a great move and it’s played through to Bache and he’s in… Another good save by the keeper!! Corner again, in it comes… Bache at the near post… Wide. The second half hasn’t been as entertaining as the first half sadly and the game has fizzled out into a possession game, can Dunkirk equalise? Or can Long Eaton add a third? No!
FT: Long Eaton United 2-1 Dunkirk
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – A decent crowd in tonight but no noise sadly.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It’s a nice ground!! 2 good seated stands and 1 other little standing section! A nice little bar as well! Good for the level that they play at I think.
- Expense: 7/10 – £6 I’m happy to pay! If the game had carried on like the first half it would have been 10 but the second half did lower the score for this one.
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A good night out all in all! Great to see Martin again along with his son and also great to chat to some of the locals of the club too!
24/40