Worcester City’s Adam Mace’s strike was the difference between the two sides as his late goal gave the home sides all three points.

What was anticipated as a high tempo match with plenty of action panned out to be a letdown as neither side could get themselves ahead.

The slanted, poorly kept pitch played a huge factor in this with many players slipping and falling around everywhere, and the ball not being kept under control due to the holes in the ground throughout the pitch.

Regardless of this, Long Eaton United maintained their style of hold up football and movement off the ball throughout the full 90, but it was not their day as their best efforts fell short.

Following their defeat to Derby County u21’s on Monday, Brad Munn made three changes to his starting eleven.

Lewis King remained in goal with Jayden Coterill and Gianluca Bucci as the starting centre backs. Owen Betts and Ryan Campbell-Gordon were the full backs.

Andrew Wright came back into the side alongside Callum Cocks and Connor Pace in midfield.

Evan Garnett was the central striker with Liam Loughlan and James Taylor both out on the wings.

Abdul Saad, James Shaw, Andrew Cole, Jamie Hanson and Omotala Omotolani all took up positions on the bench.

The hosts started on the front foot with King being called into action within the first five minutes as he tipped a shot over the crossbar and out for a corner.

The Blues responded quickly as in the ninth minute, Garnett was played through a lovely ball where he attempted to lob the goalkeeper, but it was too high as it landed on top of the net and out for a goal kick.

We had two good chances in the 27th and 28th minute as Loughlan saw his right-footed effort fly narrowly wide of the post from a tight angle, and Taylor with his effort also going agonizingly wide.

Our best chance in the half game from Cocks in the 44th minute after we was awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. His effort went round the wall, but the goalkeeper was outstretched and parried it away from goal.

The second half saw a flurry of shots from the Blues, but none really testing the goalkeeper.

The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute as Mace struck the ball from the left side of the box. The ball flew over King and nestled into the far right inside netting giving the hosts the lead.

Long Eaton United were determined to get points from the game as Wright’s tricky feet inside the box opened up a chance for himself in the 86th minute. However, it was caught well by the goalkeeper.

Our next best chance came just two minutes later after a scramble on the edge of the box was ended with a half volley from Shaw, which rifled the left post.

Worcester City almost sealed the game in the dying minutes as they hit the crossbar in the second minute of injury time.

It was a tough defeat to take, but we go again on the first of February as we host Boldmere St Michaels at the Family Only Stadium at Grange park.

Match Report: Damion Arnold
Match Photos: Damion Arnold