The Blues beat Shepshed Dynamo by three goals to nil in the latest league action at the Family Only Stadium.

It was a closely-contested first half, both sides went into the break all square.

Sidik Atcha was awarded a straight red card in the 76th minute for the visitors after a high challenge on James Taylor, which ultimately allowed Long Eaton to go and grab all three points.

Then came three goals in nine minutes.

Gianluca Bucci opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 82nd minute, James Shaw converted home in the 86th and Liam Loughlan added a third in the 91st.

It is another vital three points which sees Brad Munn’s side go 2nd in the league table.

Munn named an identical starting XI and substitutes bench from the 5-0 win away at Anstey Nomads last Saturday.

It was a quiet start to the game by both sides but Lewis King was called into action in the 27th minute when he and Bucci combined to deny Dynamo an opener. King managed to get a foot onto the effort with Bucci applying pressure.

Long Eaton’s first real chance of the match came in the 37th minute. Loughlan slipped a ball through to Shaw who was 1v1 with the keeper. Oliver Bosworth made a good save to keep the tie level.

The referee blew for half-time which was a frustrating half for the Blues, however there were positives to take into the second 45.

The Dynamo came very close to claiming the first goal of the game in the 61st minute. Jesse Friend attempted to play a ball across the face of goal but Owen Betts was there to clear the ball off the line and keep the game tied.

Sidik Atcha was then awarded a straight red card in the 76th minute for Shepshed. His high challenge caught Taylor in the face, which required medical attention. Taylor was replaced by Omotolani Omotala in the 79th minute.

The Blues took the lead in the 82nd minute. Bucci picked up the ball on the edge of the box and proceeded to rifle the ball into the bottom right corner from range. What a strike it was by Gianluca!

Four minutes after, Long Eaton doubled their lead. Ryan Campbell-Gordon supplied a great ball into the box which gave Shaw a simple tap into the goal from inside the six-yard box.

The Blues were not finished yet. Loughlan won the ball back in Shepshed’s half and glided towards the goal before placing the ball into the bottom right corner. It was three goals in nine minutes for the Blues!

Three goals and points for Long Eaton. The Blues now sit second in the league.

The boys now have a week off as there is no game next Saturday, our next fixture is away at Sutton Coldfield Town on the 15th of March.

Get in there you Blues!

Match Report: Sam Hargrave
Match Photos: Sam Hargrave