A short trip to playoff hopefuls Belper Town awaits The Blues on Easter Monday, following a quick turnaround after Saturdays 1-1 draw at home to Sutton Coldfield Town.

The Blues may have only won once in 12 games, but Brad Munn insists the mood in the camp remains positive - Saturdays draw does, however make it 5 games unbeaten.

Belper Town are hanging onto their 5th place, that despite another defeat on Saturday. This, their latest loss was at the hands of Boldmere St Michaels. Undone by 2 early goals, The Nailers failed to make their second half dominance count, as it finished 2-0 to The Mikes. That was Belper's third loss in a row, and their 4th in their last 5 - A significant wobble with the Playoffs in sight.

OPPOSITION

The Nailers play their home games at The Raygar Stadium, and have the highest average attendance in the Division - just over 600. With the game played on Bank Holiday Monday, an even larger crowd is expected.

Lee Attenborough is the man in charge, and is a highly regarded manager. Attenborough joined the club in December 2022 after previously being at Corby Town.

Currently lying in 5th position, Belper have won 16 of their 38 league games, drawing and losing 11. Their home record isn't so good for a top side, recording just 7 wins in 17 games, with a further 7 losses and 5 defeats.

Belper play in a traditional yellow shirt with black shorts.

FORM

With 3 defeats in a row; Lichfield (H) 2-4, Shepshed (A) 1-2 and most recently at Boldmere (0-2), The Nailers are struggling for form of late, but are managing to keep a hold of the last Playoff spot, with Wellingborough, Shepshed and Racing Club Warwick all now within striking distance.
Their home form has been poor recently, and their winless run of 8 games stretches back to 13th December and a 1-0 win over Coventry Sphinx. During this run, Belper have drawn and lost 4.

Long Eaton United will take heart from their recent run, despite failing to register a victory once again. Our recent trips to Playoff contenders have bought plenty of positives, with well earned draws at Coleshill, Wellingborough and Shepshed Dynamo.

The Blues have registered just 1 win from our last 8 away games - that was at bottom placed Rugby Town.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

This will be the third meeting between the sides this season, with the record standing at 1 win each.

Firstly, on Boxing Day, Long Eaton recorded an outstanding 4-1 victory at a raucous Grange Park. Evan Garnett the hero, bagging a hat-trick, with Tristan Thompson-Matthews netting the other. The Nailers had Jordan Fankwe sent-off early in the second half and were made to pay for their man disadvantage.

We were then drawn each other in the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup Quarter-final at The Raygar Stadium, 2 late goals for the hosts sealed a 3-1 victory. Thompson-Matthews was again on the scoresheet for The Blues.

With Belper Town being a long established Northern Premier League, you have to go back to the 1988/89 season for our last league visit to Belper, and that ended with a 4-1 Belper Town victory on 7th January 1989. Incidentally, Belper were also victorious in the earlier reverse fixture, winning 2-1 at Grange Park in September 1988.

ADMISSION

The Raygar Stadium is approximately 20 miles and 40 minutes drive from Long Eaton.

For SatNav users, use DE56 1BA - but please note, this only takes you as far as Bridge Street. The ground is accessed via the lane by the side of the church .

Please also be aware the car park is a paid car park, and you will need to download an app to pay. You must pay otherwise you will get a ticket - Please read the notices and be vigilant.

Admission prices:
£11 Adults
£7 Concessions
FREE U11's accompanied by an adult
Note: U16's may need to complete a registration form.