Preview: Heather St. Johns (H)

The Blues look to extend their unbeaten league run as they face Heather St. John’s in their first home league match of the season at Grange Park on Tuesday evening.

Long Eaton United come into this game having not lost a league match yet this season. Their most recent performance saw them walk away as 5-1 victors against Gresley Rovers, in both sides' first meeting in five years.

Jamie Walker’s brace aided the Blues against the Moatmen, however, goals from Romaine Graham, Alex Marshall, and Kieran Walker also helped guide Long Eaton to a well-deserved victory.

Heather St. John’s were on the wrong side of a 3-1 defeat in their last match, at home to league leaders Sporting Khalsa. Yahiya Todd’s first-half goal turned out to be only a consolation for the Saints in that match.

Previous Meetings:

The Saints were one of the only teams that the Blues faced twice last season, meaning the sides most previous meeting was at Grange Park in February; the last home Midland Football League game of the 2019/20 season, before the league was null and void.

The Saints earned themselves a 5-1 victory in that match thanks to goals from Kory Burke, Kyle Burke, Trea Bertie, Fraser Doyle, and Malachi Farquharson. Whereas James Shaw secured Long Eaton’s only goal.

Our previous meeting at St. John’s Park was towards the start of last season, when the Saints were victorious once again, beating the Blues 4-1. Former Blue Mason Rowley scored Long Eaton’s only goal on that day.

Managers/Players Quotes:

Looking ahead to the Blues first home league match of the season, assistant manager Craig Swinscoe said: “Yeah we are confident going into the game. Deaks [Ian Deakin] went to watch them [Heather St. Johns] against Selston and said they play really well.

“From what I can tell, they try to play football the right way, so it will be another good game.”

Speaking after the Blues 5-1 win against Gresley Rovers, midfielder Mitchell Robinson outlined the fact that he had a tough game against the Saints last season, with his former club Newark FC.

“From what I can remember, last year when I played for Newark, they gave us a good game and they have got some really good players. We just need to obviously relax tonight and then focus up ready for Tuesday.”, said Robinson.

The midfielder made his first-team debut in the win against Gresley and aims to get some more minutes under his belt against the Saints, Robinson said: “Hopefully I can get some more minutes out on the pitch, I think maybe one more game and I will be back to full fitness, but it has been over two months since I have done anything, so you could just tell today towards the end.

“But yeah, overall, I think I am just looking forward to it.”

Team News:

Robinson made his return from a five-match suspension in our game against Gresley on Tuesday and will therefore be eligible for selection ahead of what should be a tasty affair against Heather St. John’s.

Ticket Information:

£6 - Adults
£3 - Concessions
U16s FREE with a paying adult

The match kicks off at 7.45 pm and we advise all our supporters to arrive early and to download the NHS COVID-19 app to avoid any queues or delays.

Entry can only be purchased on the gate with cash, and you can only pay by cash at the kitchen. Card and cash payments are accepted at the bar, which will operate with a one-way system and face-covering will be required until seated inside the clubhouse.

We are not providing a programme for this fixture, although you can see the team line-ups outside the hospitality room or on our official Twitter.

More info regarding COVID-19 safety measures at Grange Park can be found here, along with a link to download the track and trace app: https://www.longeatonutd.co.uk/news/new-covid19-safety-measures-in-place-at-grange-park-2571546.html