The first game of the season was eagerly anticipated by all the boys & it was soon realised it was going to be a tough season in the division 1!

Carlton were a well organised outfit with several talented players both teams started tentatively as they were finding their feet. Long Eaton started to look a bit better when they tried to string passes together. Carlton always looked dangerous on the break with several of their lads being pretty quick on their feet. It wasn’t long before Lewis was being tested, but he showed authority right from the start which gave our back line of Stephen & Sam a lot of confidence.

We always looked as if we could run at there back line we would have a chance, but getting past Carlton’s midfield was a real struggle and Liam was having a difficult time with the physical size of the Carlton lads. Jacko was moving well down his line, but then running out of options, and Bradley was sometimes getting a bit lost on the right flank.Ben was working hard in the central position trying to put passes together. One of the few chances that came to Long Eaton resulted n a well taken goal by Jacko. 1-0 Long Eaton. Carlton Town came back hard and Lewis made numerous saves keeping them out.

Half Time 1-0

Second half started a bit like the first, but now Carlton were coming on stronger and stronger Sam and Stephen having to work extremely hard keeping them out as wave after wave of attacks bombarded long Eaton. It was only a matter of time when Carlton equalised. 1-1 Carlton kept attacking and Lewis was playing out of his skin in the goal…..Tim then made some tactical changes taking the whole frontline off after they had worked there socks off and bringing on William, Matthew & Joe, moving Stephen into midfield and Liam up front.

These fresh legs had an immediate effect, with Liam breaking free and making it 2-1 against the run of play, and with Carlton still pushing on, Wolliam broke free to make it 3-1! The back line of Matthew and Sam held firm with Lewis continuing his great goalkeeping with lots of brave saves. With Stephen being solid in midfield Long Eaton held on for the win.

Carlton were very unlucky to get nothing out of this game, and Long Eaton lads are going to have to knuckle down and play harder, make the tackles, make the headers and realise this is going to be a physical game in the best Division

Man of the Match Lewis