After the well publicised sacking of Mark Harvey and the prediction of a mass walkout in support by the players meant the question on the travelling Blues fans was have we got a team. Ross Whalin, Nick Ghislanzoni and Jared Holmes all decided to not play for Long Eaton Utd again in support of Mark Harvey . However new manager Glyn Stacey was quick to sign keeper Gavin Saxby and finalise the transfer of Carl Spencer from Arnold and with skip Mick Allsop back from his 3 week cruise it meant that the Blues line up looked quite familiar.
On a wet pitch and with the wind behind them the Blues looked to have good shape and passed the ball well. Arnold too looked sharp with a 4 5 1 formation and Laws looked a threat from the start. Both teams created chances with the best from Laws who broke through with Saxby to beat but the keeper saved well. Mitchell back up front along side Mabon had two snap shots both off target and the Blues were struggling to cope with the strong wind with the ball over running all the time. However it was an even first half with both teams having the chance to go in front.
The second half saw skip Mick Allsop run out of steam and was replaced by Joe Pheasant. Arnold were now dominant and only great defending by the Blues and smart keeping kept Arnold to half chances. The last 15 minutes saw the Blues push for a winner and McGinty crossed to David Leak with a minute to go and saw his chance cleared off the line.
MOM...Saxby kept it clean and looked very competent, Spencer kept wide and caused problems, Mitchell was back to being a quality forward but Murdock was outstanding in the role he likes best and gets MOM.
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