Managers Stacey and Weston opted for a 4 5 1 formation with Mushambi, Parker and Adam Newton working the center of midfield and Watson and Spencer giving the width and speed down the wings. Sedge looked a tidy outfit from the start and had just beaten Unibond outfit Ossett Albion in midweek. Paul walker was the main danger in the early exchanges and you could see why he has 26 goals to his name already this season. However Murdock and Pheasant were coping well until the 11th minute. Keeper Saxby mis hit a goal kick that went straight to full back Haigh, a one two with Lee and a whipped cross straight to Wasley who made no mistake with his header.
Wheat went off injured having just cleared off the line and Adam Newton dropped in at full back and Shane Newton made the 5 man midfield. Watson and Spencer were now getting more of the ball and causing problems. Kevin Mabon, the lone striker went close on two occasions, one with a header and another with a shot just wide and whilst shielding the ball on the 18 yard area won a free kick to the left of the goal. Watson curled a shot that looked like a Sedge defender would clear but he missed completely and the ball flew into the corner with 39 minutes gone. The Blues were well on top now and were then victims of one of the worst refereeing decisions seen. A through ball found Mabon clear and he toed the ball past center half Larkin who schythed him down from behind. The assistant referee who had the best view put his flag up for a foul and was overuled by ref Tankard and his flag went down as quick as it went up. It was a poor decision by the ref who had no way of seeing the incident from where he was and the assistant showed weakness in not keeping his flag up. Afterwards he admitted that he had dropped a ******* which at the time was no help to the away side who protested that it was a clear foul and a red card. Half time 1-1.
The second half saw the Blues command most of the play. Spencer and Watson were enjoying space to run at the full backs and went close with shots from S Newton and Watson before they took a deserved lead on 53 minutes. Watson did well with his cross which was cleared but fell to Shane Newton who volleyed in from the edge of the area. Sedge brought on Luke Sherman upfront who stands well over 6 foot but still Long Eaton were hitting Sedge on the break but the final ball or cross was just not good enough.
With ten minutes to go Sedge threw everything at the Blues and Saxby pulled off a point blank shot from Sherman that was destined for the top corner and followed it up with another stop from Walker. The back four held strong and helped earn our first win against a top 6 side this season.
MOM:- Murdock was outstanding at the back, Saxby looks to have settled in well and had no chance with the goal, there were many other good performances but Kev Mabons lone role upfront and the trouble he caused the Liversedge defenders all afternoon gets the nod.
TEAM:- SAXBY WHEAT ( S NEWTON ) McGINTY PHEASANT MURDOCK A NEWTON PARKER MUSHAMBI MABON ( EATON ) SPENCER WATSON SUB NOT USED HODGKINSON
ATT 73
REFEREE A TANKARD
