Arnold Town 2 Long Eaton Utd 1
A close fought game at Eagle Valley saw Long Eaton beaten by the narrowest of margins. United took it to the home side and out fought and out played Arnold throughout the first half. Long Eaton worked hard off the ball and played some great football but King, Ruck and Gibbons were all denied by three class saves from an in-form Arnold keeper.
Long Eaton were slow out of the blocks after the break with Arnold taking the game to them and pushing hard without creating a clear chance. Just as Long Eaton thought they might rue the missed chances, Smith latched onto a fine ball from Hancock to fire them into the lead on 65 minutes. Long Eaton were back in the game and should have been 2-0 up when a cross from sub Calladine was turned into their own net by an Arnold defender. However, much to the dismay of the crowd, the goal was disallowed despite the fact that the ball was cut back and no Long Eaton player got a touch on the ball.
This spurred Arnold on and they poached an equaliser when the ball fell kindly on the edge of the box and a mis hit shot found the bottom corner. The game could have gone either way but Long Eaton were punished five minutes from time when they switched off to allow a cross from the right flank which was headed home.
Long Eaton pushed hard in the final minutes but Arnold held on for the victory. The game was a great advert for academy football and neither side really deserved to lose.
Scorers: Jack Smith
MOM: Kial Thurman
Team: Matthews, Thurman, McGrath (Marshall 45), Leake (Cpt), Smith, Gibbons, Hancock, Hooley, Smith, Ruck (Calladine 65), King (Hilton 74)
