Long Eaton Utd 2 Heanor Town 3
By Paul Morley | Sunday 28th October 2012

by Tony Squires

Saturday 27th October 2012

Northern Counties East League Premier Division

LONG EATON UNITED 2 HEANOR TOWN 3

Heanor Town produced a splendidly dominating display on their first visit to Grange Park for eleven years to lower the colours of high-flying Long Eaton for the first time on their own ground this season.

United were undefeated in their last eleven games whilst the Lions had won only one of their last ten.

Heanor also had goalkeeper Damian Clark, on loan from Hucknall Town, making his debut.

The game started with end to end football and Gary Webster drove a cross into the box which caused the home defence real problems in the third minute.

Long Eaton took the lead in the eighth minute. A cross driven deep into the area from the right was met by Danny Gordon whose shot took a deflection and lifted over Damian Clark.

Heanor levelled on 16 minutes when Ian Clarke’s free kick was deftly headed home by Richie Holmes.

The wind was playing tricks and causing problems at both ends of the field, but the Blues were back in front on 20 minutes as the scoring spree continued.

Holmes turned villain misjudging a long ball from Kelvin Mushambi in the wind and heading it into the path of Shay Wiggins who raced on and placed his shot beyond Clark.

Within two minutes the Lions were back on terms once again.

Jordan Hall produced a clever run and cross to Ian Clarke who was tackled from behind leaving the referee little choice but to point to the penalty spot. Nathan Benger buried his spot kick into the bottom corner.

Strong defending and disciplined midfield play from Heanor then left Long Eaton with limited chances as the Lions tightened up their play.

And with the willingness to get forward both Dwayne Wiley and Ian Clarke tested Scott Miles in the home goal with stinging shots before the break.

Substitute Neil Grayson almost capitalised on a poor clearance from Miles with a 35-yard shot which just cleared the bar as Heanor took control of the second half.

Further powerful shots from Grayson and Wiley went close before the Lions bagged the goal which ultimately proved to be the winner on 75 minutes.

Nathan Benger connected with a pin point cross from Gary Webster and sending his bicycle shot into the top corner for his 15th goal of the season.

UNITED: Miles, Littlewood, James Hunter, Armstrong, Thurman, Jacob Webster, Mushambi, Hancock (Chambers 77), Savage, Wiggins (King. Jordan Hunter), Gordon.

HEANOR: Clark, Stevenson, Austin, Wiley, Holmes, Degirolamo, Gary Webster, Clarke, Benger (Bryant 88), Rushby (Grayson 48), Hall (Naylor 86). Substitutes not used – Foster, Wells

REFEREE: Luke Watson (Barnsley)

YELLOW CARD: Armstrong (55 minutes) Long Eaton for a foul.

ATTENDANCE: 124 – United’s best of the season