Saturday 14th March 2026
Northern Premier League Midlands Division One
Butlin Road

Long Eaton United ended their 8 game winless run with a hard fought victory at Rugby Town on a bright and sunny afternoon at Butlin Road.

Following Tuesday's dismal 3-1 loss at Boldmere, manager Brad Munn made 2 changes to The Blues starting line-up, however with Dexter Walters arriving late to the game, the advertised line-up was changed close to kick-off. Thompson-Matthews and Atwal came in for Pace and Davidson-Miller, however Davidson-Miller retained his place after initially dropping to the bench, with Walters named amongst 3 substitutes, along with Hanson and Pace.

Just as the players came out of the tunnel, there was a heavy burst of rain, although this was soon gone as the formalities were finished. Rugby Town, struggling at the wrong end of the table, got the game underway.

The first flash-point of the game took just 3 minutes. Rugby Town's new number 9, signed just 24 hours before the game, caught Callum Cocks with a late tackle, and after a minor confrontation, Tyler Bruck was shown the yellow card - in what would become an eventful debut for the forward.

The opening 10 or so minutes passed by with little efforts to note, until a first Rugby corner on 11 minutes was easily cleared, which set up a quick Long Eaton break down the right. Owen Betts crossed invitingly for Evan Garnett to slot home inside the 6-yard box, but the leading marksman failed to connect and Rugby were able to clear.

On 15 minutes, Davidson-Miller, who had a lively game after bring drafted in late, hit a cross come shot which was acrobatically pushed away by Town's young goalkeeper Xander Grieves.

The Blues began to take the game to their hosts, and Jayden Cotterill, who had scored twice recently, should have put Long Eaton ahead, when unmarked from a Callum Cocks free-kick on 19 minutes, he could only guide his header over the bar.

United didn't have to wait much longer for the breakthrough, when on 22 minutes a deep cross to the far post from the excellent Betts was met by Tristan Thompson-Matthews who produced a fine finish on the volley into the roof of the net.

The Blues continued to press, and Davidson-Miller had a goal bound shot charged down just before the half hour mark from the edge of the penalty area, followed by a snap shot from Garnett which whistled just past the far post.

Rugby had their best chance of the first half so far, with defender Ryley Nicholson rising highest from a corner, but he couldn't keep his header down.

A warning sign for Long Eaton that the hosts weren't going to lie down, and on the stroke of half-time, they were level. New-boy Bruck beat the offside trap, and with Lewis King closing down, he finished with aplomb, into the far corner of the net.

With their tales up, Rugby closed out the half on top, and Long Eaton were thankful for the halftime whistle.

The opening minutes of the second half were end-to-end, Bruck had a decent chance which was hit straight at King, then from the resulting goal kick, James Taylor was briefly in-behind, before settling for a corner.

On 55 minutes, Long Eaton reinstalled their advantage. A lovely move ended with Thompson-Matthews playing a nicely weighted through ball to former Rugby player Davidson-Miller, who needed 2 attempts to beat the onrushing Grieves, before tapping into an empty net.

On the hour mark, Evan Garnett had another effort which once again went just wide.

Rugby made a change on 68 minutes, with the introduction of their leading goalscorer, Rivel Mardenborough. He instantly made an impact, firstly forcing King into a save from close range, then from the rebound his shot was scrambled off the line by Cotterill, only to then see his next effort ruled out for offside after firing low into the net. Long Eaton couldn't clear their lines and from the next attack, Bruck was through on goal, but this time Lewis King would deny the striker, not once but twice saving low down at his feet.

The home sides best spell of the match continued. On 72 minutes Josh Thomas' header went just over the bar.

Having survived, The Blues regrouped and re-found their foothold in the contest. First Atwal, restored to the starting line-up, had a long range effort easily dealt with, then Thompson-Matthews fizzed an effort just wide on 81 minutes.

Rugby kept pushing hard in the closing minutes, but Bucci and Cotterill headed all their crosses away, whilst Davidson-Miller was able to wind down the clock in the corner.

Long Eaton made a late change, Connor Pace replacing the hard working George Atwal.

The Blues comfortably saw out the remaining moments, plus 3 minutes of added on time to seal a much needed victory, our first win since 24th January against Rushden Diamonds.

Long Eaton United; King (c), Betts, Hartmann, Cocks, Cotterill, Bucci, Davidson-Miller, Atwal (Pace '87), Garnett, Thompson-Matthews, Taylor. Subs not used; Hanson, Walters.

Attendance 343.

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