We make our 21st and final trip of the 25/26 season with a visit to Coventry Sphinx on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Coventry's defeat last Saturday at home to Sutton Coldfield Town (1-3) condemned The Sphinx to relegation and brought an end their 3-year stay in the Northern Premier League. The Blues on the other hand, finally showed glimpses of their former self with a excellent second half display to see off Mickleover at Grange Park to win 4-2, and end any lingering doubts that we may get sucked into a late relegation scrap in the final fortnight of the campaign.

OPPOSITION
Managed by brothers Joe and Ryan Conneely, Sphinx appointed the pair as joint managers on 13th January this year in an attempt to clear the club away from relegation trouble. However, disappointingly for the club, in the 17 game since, they have overseen 11 defeats, and winning just 4 times, collecting 14 points out of a possible 51, and their recent poor run, winless in 10 has meant Coventry Sphinx are the second side to be relegated this season so far, along with Rugby Town.

Ryan, the more experienced of the pair, has held previous managerial positions at Redditch United, Hednesford Town and Quorn, whilst he also held the position at National League North side Alfreton Town, as caretaker manager.

The Sphinx, much like their professional neighbours in the Football League, play in a traditional sky blue home kit, and play at Sphinx Drive, located in Stoke Aldermoor.

They currently lie in 21st position in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1.

FORM

Sphinx recent form has been terrible, 7 defeats in their last 8 games, scoring just 4 times and picking up just a single point - in a 1-1 draw at Rugby Borough.
With 6 home wins and a total of 21 points all season, only bottom-placed Rugby Town have fewer points at home in the whole campaign.

Their last win was at home to Lichfield on 24th February (3-1), and sitting next to bottom in 21st position, they have won 11 times this season, losing 21, accumulating 41 points from their 40 games.

Sphinx have however, been close in games against top opposition, losing narrowly to the likes of Coleshill (0-1), Basford (1-2), Belper (0-1) and 2-3 to Carlton Town since December, so must not be underestimated.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
In our previous meeting at the end of November, Evan Garnett rescued a point for The Blues with an equaliser in the 72nd minute, cancelling out Jamal Adams' 48th minute opener at Grange Park.
Our last trip to Sphinx Drive was in September 2024, with Garnett single handily dismantling The Sphinx, scoring all 5 in a 5-1 mauling, that was after Jordan Hayward had equalised for the hosts.
James Shaw scored the only goal of the game in last seasons return game, Long Eaton winning 1-0.

Sphinx and The Blues were regular counterparts in our 7 seasons in the Midland Premier League, between 2014 and 2021, with our last visit in October 2020, shortly before the COVID lockdown. Blues striker Kam Campbell scored in a 1-1 draw that day.

ADMISSION
Coventry Sphinx play at Sphinx Drive, the postcode is CV3 1WA. From Long Eaton, it is approximately 46 miles with a journey time of just over an hour.

By train; Coventry Railway Station is around 3 miles from Coventry Sphinx FC - This will take around 15 minutes by taxi.

Sphinx average just over 120 at home, and have had several attendances of well below 100, and lie bottom of the attendance charts.

Prices;
Adults £10
Concessions £7
U18's £3

Thank you to everyone who will be travelling on Saturday and to all those who have travelled throughout the season to support the team.

Your support is very much appreciated by everyone connected to Long Eaton United FC.

#YouBlues