Manager Ian Deakin decided upon two sides for the Blues’ first encounter, with a complete outfield switch, besides Mitchell Leivers in between the sticks, occurring at half-time.

A slightly lackadaisical start was to be expected as both sides had very much enjoyed the pleasures of the off-season, but that leisurely opening did not last long.

On six minutes, Long Eaton came close through Jamie Walker as a neat pass sent the winger one-on-one with the keeper, although despite a clever strike, the Gedling shot-stopper was able to deny Walker an early goal.

The Blues had plenty of possession in the first half, and that was evident in the 18th minute when a Jamie Walker freekick perched perfectly onto the head of Tyreece Robinson who guided the ball into the far corner.

A back and forth first half did not really have much more to tell – other than a close-range effort from Riley Phillips that pinged off the post – thus the first 45 minutes came to an emphatic end.

Gedling got the second half underway against a fresh Long Eaton side that consisted of five trialists from the off.

Two of those trialists worked well four minutes after the break to give the Blues a two-goal advantage. Shaun Devlin did superbly to work a shot from distance, however, the forward could only find the post, but Jack Rogers came swiftly into the box and struck home the rebound.

Tom Marshall got in on the act just four minutes from time with a well-guided header, rounding off what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for Long Eaton.