Goals are like buses at Utd. It was only a matter of time!!

Somebody had to be stood at the stop when the Long Eaton United bus turned up. Sadly for Wollaton, it was them, and there were five of them!
Oh yes, it came at last, the spanking that has been comimg for weeks.

Wollaton Park was the venue, a blustery morning and a small bobbly pitch. None of this could stop Long eaton from settling straight into the smooth passing football that their fans have become accusomed to over the last few weeks.
The beautiful football has so often been undermmined by unfortunate results and usually to crabby goals, the ever faithfuls could not relax as Long Eaton began to caress the ball around the pitch. This indeed had been the story most recently in an away fixture at Priory Celtic on Wednesday evening when long Eaton fell to a "difficult to comprehend" 2-1 defeat.

The manager sensed something a bit different this morning though. The ball seemed to be falling for Long eaton for a change. Long shots that had recently looped into top corners today were flying over the top. Rebounds weren't falling at Wollaton's feet. No, it looked as if the tide was turning, and long Eaton were certainly in the mood for converting the change in fortune into points.
Champagne football is now almost second nature.
Harry received a short kick from the alive Matt in goal. Sidestepping the Wollaton 9 he rolled to the ball out to justin. First time into Olly's feet who was in that mass of space that he somehow creates for himself.
Olly out to the inspired Keelan who jinked past 2 defenders before sending a cross field pass to George. George killed it instinctively. Had a look and found Matt who was accelerated past the last man and was unlucky not to score. A 7 man sweeping move from one end to the other. Were we really watching 9 year olds?

Unfortnuately this is what the terraces have to come to expect from their little men, but still no cigar.

The management were all smiles as the game crept towards half time with no score, playing up hill and into wind. But then - the breakthrough.

George drove another qaulity cross into the box. The Wollaton defence panicked and couldn't clear and then Matt pounced. For the last 6 weeks the ball would somehow have been scrambled away, but not today. The tenacious little Long Eaton centre forward would not take no for an answer as he prodded over the line at the third time of asking. Griffin and Perry on the sideline high fiving as if they'd won the league. Calm down everyone, it was 1-0 up. It felt good though.
After a few laps of the pitch the blues found their postions again for kick off.A minute to go. Hang on for the half, we'll take this thought the loyal fans.
Long Eaton had different ideas. If the truth be known the match reporter was still dancing around in the build up for the second goal so can't report it. Thankfully he turned back to the pitch just in time to see Olly climb like a salmon with his back to goal and strike a bicycle kick into the roof of the net. 2-0 up and utter elation, players and fans alike.
The whistle blew, half time.

The half time talk was up beat, excitable, trying to keep the boys feet on the ground.
Matt had run himself into the ground and gave way at the break. Justin pushed up front and Luke came on to form a faultless partnership at the back with Harry. They need to check their shorts before they go into the washing machine to make sure the Wollaton front line aren't still tucked in their pockets.

It was difficult to know what to expect in the second half but a few minutes in it all became clear - One way traffic, and the arrival of a new goal machine.
Olly picked up a loose ball, drew the last man in and then freed justin for a one on one. The goalkeeper was quick of his line but only to be met by the bull dozer. Justin ploughed in, squeezing the ball over the line. 3-0.

Then came only the second headed goal of the campaign. A perfect corner from the left from George was met at full throttle by Justin's head. Goalie with no chance, it was 4-0 and the cruise control was firmly pressed.

Thats not to say Wollaton didn't have their chances and Matt played his part making a series of brave saves. If i didn't know better I'd say every goal kick was a goal attempt as well.

As the football continued to flow the final goal came and it fell to the hatrick man, and man of the match Justin. A fine solo effort to finish matters off. Dancing past 3 defenders outside the box, Justin set across the edge of the area before crashing a shot into the bottom left corner. A fine way to complete the morning and the hatrick.

The final whistle saw the boys in blue skipping and jumping and hugging. Perhaps forgotten how it feels. The look of joy on their faces said it all.

Its late in the season. Saying that, its never too late for a turning point. If that turns out to be the case then its nothing more than this side deserve. They have been an absolute pleasure to watch of late.

Next up - Aslockton.