A hat-trick from Evan Garnett and goals from Abdul Saad and James Shaw were the difference between The Blues and relegation threatened Grantham Town.
This win for Long Eaton means they move into the play-off spots with Anstey Nomads sitting behind them in sixth place, just three points behind but having a three-game advantage.
Brad Munn named an unchanged side to one that beat Wellingborough Town 4-2 at the weekend.
Lewis King started in goal with Jayden Cotterill and Gianluca Bucci as the starting centrebacks. Abdul Saad remained as the left back in the side with Owen Betts occupying the other full back position.
The midfield saw Callum Cocks and Andrew Wright position in the heart of the team. Shaw and Liam Loughlan were the men who provided the width to the side.
James Taylor, fresh off the back of celebrating his birthday Saturday, began as the striker alongside Garnett, who like Taylor, scored a brace the weekend.
The Blues had a good chance in the seventh minute as Cocks played a good ball over the defense to Shaw. He cut it back to Garnett who received it well, but he could not get it out of his feet. His shot was blocked and then eventually cleared properly by the defender.
The first goal for Long Eaton came in the 12th minute as Abdul Saad opened the scoring after he was played a beautiful ball over the defense leaving him with the option of either having a shot on goal or crossing the ball to a man in the middle. After looking at the goalkeeper, the left-back fancied his chances as he struck the ball at the goalkeeper and found the back of the net. It looked as though he caught the goa keeper off guard with the shot as what should have been a simple catch ended up being a nut-megged goal catching the entire crowd by surprise.

The lead did not last long as six minutes later, a free kick cross enabled Grantham captain Sam Muggleton to rise the highest in the box and head the ball towards goal. The attempt was too strong for King as he got a hand onto the shot, but he could not divert it away.

The Blues’ lead was finally restored in the 41st minute as a brilliant team goal gave Long Eaton the lead again. A good ball from Cocks saw Shaw in behind one again, he laid it off to Loughlan who fantastically retained the ball with some silky skills and got a shot away. The goalkeeper saved it, but somehow dropped the ball just off the goal line allowing Garnett to pounce and tap the ball in.

Long Eaton doubled their lead in the 53rd minute as Garnett finds the bottom right corner. Another great ball over the top of the defense saw Betts attack the down the line and cut the ball back into Garnett. His positioning allowed the cross to find him and he needed only one touch.

We found our fourth in the 61st minute as Shaw struck the ball off the post and in. The goal came from a great run in behind from Taylor, which he then found Shaw on the other side of the box. He took a touch away from his feet and aimed it towards the near post.

Our fifth and final goal came in the 90th minute. Evan Garnett completed his hat trick with a fine goal from close range. A cross entered the box and found Garnett at the back post, he brought the ball down well and dispatched it leaving the goalkeeper no chance.

Long Eaton United’s next game is against Hinkley LRFC at home on January 1, 2025. For Grantham Town, they travel to Shepshed Dynamo on January 1.

Match Report: Damion Arnold