Match Preview

The Blues welcome Grantham Town to Grange Park on Tuesday evening for their first home Pitching In Northern Premier League match of the 2022/23 season.

As Long Eaton United had never competed at step four of the National League System before this season, this will of course be the Blues’ first home league game ever at this level.

The Blues head into this match off the back of a frustrating stalemate league opener with Bridlington Town away at the Hudgell Solicitors Stadium.

Lewis Dennison opened the scoring for the hosts converting a Benn Lewis cross with a glancing header, but Long Eaton were able to equalise mid-way through the second half through a calm and composed strike from Kameron Campbell.

With less than 15 minutes to go in that match, the Blues were reduced to ten-men after a late Brad Wilson challenge earned the full-back a straight red card, however, Deakin’s men were able to hold on and claim a point on the road.

The Opposition -

Our visitors began their season at the weekend with a comfortable 3-1 win against Shildon AFC in their 2022/23 league season opener at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium.

A goalless first half made way for a four-goal thriller in the second – Ashton Hall netted a penalty early in the second half and added another goal seven minutes later to give Grantham a two-goal advantage, then Dean Thexton netted a penalty of his own to claw one back for Shildon, however, it was Ricky Miller that solidified Grantham’s lead with a 90th-minute winner.

The Gingerbreads seem to have caught non-league fans’ attention over pre-season with various big signings seeing them speculated as favourites for the league title this season – former Notts County full-back Matt Tootle and former Nottingham Forest forward Nathan Tyson being just two of the high-quality signings now in the Grantham ranks.

With Grantham falling short and being relegated from the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season, they will no doubt be looking to bounce straight back and regain their step three status.

Previous Meeting’s –

Even though Long Eaton United and Grantham Town are only separated by less than 35 miles, due to the recent competitive differences this will be the first time that both sides have met in a league match since the 1971/1972 season.

During that time, Grantham Town were simply known as Grantham and they, alongside ourselves, competed in the Midland Football League – that season finished with Grantham top of the table and promoted to the Southern Football League, and Long Eaton in fourth behind Alfreton Town and Skegness Town.

Unfortunately, there is no record of fixtures during that season, however, the Blues and the Gingerbreads have met since then – the first qualifying round of the 1980-81 FA Cup.

Long Eaton welcomed Grantham to Grange Park initially, but after a 0-0 draw a replay took place at the home of Grantham, however, that game finished 2-2 and a second replay then took place once again at the home of Grantham.

In the third time of asking Grantham overcame Long Eaton by three-goals-to-nil, and they then went on to play Boston United in the second qualifying round but exited in that round due to a 3-1 defeat.

The Manager’s Quotes -

“It does not mean much to me, as we had that last year with teams making big signings and spending a lot of money,” Ian Deakin said surrounding speculation of Grantham being favourites for the league title.

“Every team is different – we have tried to do things where we are together, I have tried to keep the same squad of players together because they are more than good enough to play at this level.

“I know that Grantham have got some really good players, but every game in this league is going to be tough, whether that be Grantham or Bridlington, no one is going to give you anything, you have to go out there and earn it.

“These lads fight for each other – you saw it at the weekend, against all the odds, it was really pleasing for me to see the squad maintain their concentration and see the game out, but on another day we would probably take three points.”

Looking ahead and analysing the squad, Deakin added: “I am under no illusion that it is going to be a tough game on Tuesday, but we have to go out and try to win every game.

“Unfortunately, Brad [Wilson] will miss that game due to his suspension, but that is something he will have to take on the chin and move on – Larell [King] will come in, and he’s been in Mansfield Town’s academy, so he understands how to play football.

“That’s the beauty of having strength in depth – Larell [King] will come in, hopefully, we will have Rod [Orlando-Young] back in the squad and we will see how Tyreece [Robinson] is as he is coming back from an illness, but I trust the players implicitly, no matter who is in the squad.”

Match Details -

Long Eaton United vs Grantham Town
Northern Premier League East Division
Tuesday 16th August – Kick-Off 7:45 pm

Grange Park (Long Eaton United FC)
Station Road
Long Eaton
Derbyshire
NG10 2EF

Ticket Information -

£9 Adults
£7 Concessions
£3 U16s

£2.50 Matchday Programme

The match kicks off at 7:45 pm and we advise all supporters to arrive early to avoid any queues or delays.

Card payments are preferred and accepted at the bar, at the kitchen and for entry into Grange Park!

Also, you can see the team line-ups outside the hospitality room or on our official Twitter, where there will also be live updates from the match.