Long Eaton are back in action tomorrow as we welcome Derby County FC U21’s to the Family Only Stadium at Grange Park in the quarter-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup.
It has been just over two weeks since you watched your Blues play football which was the 3-2 win over Quorn on the 4th of January and with a place in the semi-finals awarded to the winner of tomorrow’s fixture, your home support is vital come Monday evening.
Last Saturday’s league fixture away at Bedworth United was frustratingly called off only minutes before the 3pm kick-off time. That match is still yet to be given a new date.
However with a chance of silverware up for grabs, your Blues will be raring to go and cobwebs will be brushed off with ease.

How did the sides get to this stage?
Both teams entered the competition in the third round, meaning that Long Eaton and Derby County U21’s have only had to win one game to get to this stage in the Cup.
Long Eaton welcomed South Normanton Athletic to the Family Only Stadium on the 3rd of December 2024.
South Normanton Athletic are currently league leaders of the Black Dragon Premier Division South however were no match for Brad Munn’s side.
The Blues cruised to a 6-2 win over the Shiners.
Long Eaton had booked their spot in the quarter-finals.
The Rams U21’s travelled away to Heanor Town first and came out 3-1 winners.

Jake Buxton: Manager of Derby County FC U21’s
After a restructuring of their academy in 2023, Jake Buxton, who made 159 appearances for Derby County was appointed as the clubs lead under-21 coach.
In Buxton’s 159 appearances for the Rams, the centre back scored 13 times and assisted nine.
Alongside Derby, Buxton made 158 appearances for Mansfield Town, 139 for Burton Albion and 42 for Wigan Athletic.
He made the majority of his professional appearances in the Championship, playing 210 of his matches in the second division of English football.

All attention turned to tomorrow night!
Long Eaton will welcome Buxton and his young Rams on Monday evening as both sides battle it out to reach the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup.
Your support, as always, will be appreciated as your Blues look to continue their aim of adding a trophy to the cabinet.

Match Preview: Sam Hargrave.
It is a 19:45 kick off on Monday evening if you are planning on attending the cup tie.
You Blues!