Long Eaton United travel to face Belper Town on Tuesday evening in the quarter-finals of the Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup.
The Blues have yet to play a game since these two sides met in the league on Boxing Day.
Brad Munn’s side came out 4-1 winners on the day thanks to a goal from Tristan Thompson-Matthews and a hat-trick from Evan Garnett.
Since then, scheduled league matches against Carlton Town and Rugby Borough have been postponed due to the recent weather.
Belper Town have been in action since their 4-1 loss against the Blues as they drew 1-1 to promotion-chasing rivals Basford United on New Year’s Day.
Their fixture against Rugby Town, which was supposed to go ahead last Saturday, was postponed.
The Blues finished 2025 in style, ending the year six games unbeaten in all competitions and five games unbeaten in the league.
Scoring 11 goals across their last two league games of the year, Long Eaton will be looking to continue this impressive run of form that they found themselves in before consecutive postponements.
Belper Town come into Tuesday’s quarter-final not in the greatest of form.
Despite being in second place currently in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, the Nailers have won only one of their last six league games.
Belper Town are a dominant force at The Raygar Stadium.
Throughout the season, in all competitions, there have been 14 matches at The Raygar Stadium and the Nailers have lost three. Therefore, Tuesday night’s quarter-final will be a challenge at their place.
Road to the Quarter-Final:
Both Long Eaton United and Belper Town entered the Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup in the third round, meaning that they have won one cup tie to get through to the quarters.
The Blues hosted Sandiacre Town Youth First on the 2nd of December 2025 in the third round.
It was a tightly contested cup tie at The Family Only Stadium. Evan Garnett’s goal in the 16th minute put Long Eaton ahead, however Sandiacre made a fast start to the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute. David Kolodynski converted the penalty to level the score. With 15 minutes remaining, Garnett scored his second of the evening which would end up being the goal that sent Long Eaton through to the next round. It finished 2-1.
For Belper Town it was a third-round derby as they faced Belper United First at home.
The Nailers walked out 4-2 winners and they proceeded into the quarter-finals.
Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures:
Belper Town FC First vs Long Eaton United First
Ilkeston Town First Team vs Alfreton Town FC First
Mickleover First vs Derby County FC B
New Mills FC First vs Glossop North End FC First