On a bitterly cold day, it was a job keeping the lads warm as the wind blew straight across the field! Team was same as last week, with Tim the manager having to have time off, everyone was wondering what the ‘assistant’ manager might do! With his new ‘coach’ and one sub!
After a few discussions, the formation stayed the same, and after the ‘assistant’ had had a chat with his skipper, Lewis, it was decided to kick with the wind behind us if we won the toss. The tactic here was if we could get some early goals, it might demoralise the opposition. Well, we won the toss, ball played straight to Jacko on the wing, crossed it over, Bradley one touch, smack! Back of the net. 0-1 to Long Eaton inside 11 seconds!! Great start, just to plan! This really picked the lads up, and with it being a nice wide pitch, it really allowed our lads to move ball well. Some nice interplay from Jacko and Sam allowed Stephen to break through, crack! Back of the net. 0-2 to Long Eaton…this goal was after about 10 minutes, and now Long Eaton crowd were stunned into silence and disbelief, but not the ‘assistant’ and his ’coach’ as they kept barking instructions to the lads.
Clifton were trying hard, but do be fair, they have had lots of problems recently, and the Long Eaton lads were well organised. Matthew was handling anything that got through, Sam and Stephen were again solid in midfield, Joe and Jacko were controlling flanks, and Bradley was causing all sorts of problems down the middle. Another break through by Long Eaton and a bit of a scrambling in the goal, Jacko knocks it in 0-3 to Long Eaton.
In between this Long Eaton were playing some nice football, with passing and good tackling and some great shouting and motivation from the lads to each other. Half Time 0-3 to Long Eaton The second half started, with the wind in our face, but the ‘assistant’ had told lads to watch this, and pointed it out to Sam & Stephen not to push on too much till we see what they do with the wind.
The ball was being played down the flanks, with Jacko beating two players and crossing, Bradley, again showing nice touches out manoeuvred his defender and slotting ball away. 0-4 to Long Eaton. Another attack as Joe showed great strength muscling past his defenders crossing and there was Bradley again, 0-5 to Long Eaton Lads were now starting to get a bit tired and Clifton were putting subs on, they were now pushing on a bit more and giving Matthew and Lewis more to do, with the cold Lewis in goal was looking a little stiff as he had little to do. The corners Clifton were winning were causing us some problems, as their man of the Match could really hit the ball with his left foot.
Sam and Stephen had to keep thinking of their defensive duties now as players tired. Another kick up field from midfield allowed Bradley to hold up play and lay off to Stephen who then played it through to Jacko, who once again slotted home. 0-6 to Long Eaton. Time for Liam to come on, he was soon running up and down the flank causing problems and now there was a break to Clifton and a hick up in defence allowed them to get one back. 1-6 to Long Eaton.
Another break from Long Eaton due to Clifton lads pushing up, saw Bradley crack another in. 1-7 to Long Eaton. Full Time: 1-7 to Long Eaton.
There biggest win of the season! MOM: Bradley for his 4 Goal haul. But they mustn’t forget their defensive duties, and not all run up front just because we got a few goals. Even saying that, WELL DONE LADS!!! There was a call for the ‘assistant and his ‘coach’ to put in for the England jobs, but they felt they didn’t want to give up there day jobs! To be fair, as mentioned before, there had been turmoil in Clifton ranks, and we were fortunate they could even field a team. They never stopped trying, and a bit more time together they should have reasonable side.
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