ON THE ROAD 2009-2010: Tuesday 19th January 2010

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Tuesday 19th January 2010

Long Eaton United 2-3 New Mills -- Derbyshire Senior Cup 1/4 final

When you hear the phrase " a game of two halves", you usually groan and say "stop with the cliches!!!!" - but this really was a classic "game of two halves".

United 2-0 up at half-time and cruising - New Mills going on to win 3-2 with the help of some very naive play by the home team. Somehow the visiting no. 8 was allowed to control the second half from his midfield berth, and it seemed that the United management and players all failed to realise this .... and paid dearly - a plum semi-final tie at Matlock Town going down the toilet.

Kev was at the wheel again - and we arrived with 10 minutes to spare and headed for the "Big Jim Stand". This offered a great view of the game and also offered decent shelter from the biting wind. Great company again - Aggedor and friends on this occasion keeping us entertained throughout the game...

New Mills play their trade in the North West Counties League, and are based in the High Peak area of Derbyshire. Currently lying third in the division, having lost only 2 of their 19 league played so far this season. Long Eaton play in the NCEL and are currently comfortably mid-table.

The home team went ahead on 15. A KEVIN MABON free-kick from the left arcing over the flapping arms of the Millers keeper. New Mills offered little or nothing in reply, and the Blues looked like they would stroll into the semi-final. MABON added his and United's second on 42, this time the striker firing a fabulous 25 yarder from the left corner of the box into the back of the net - again the keeper losing his position and getting nowhere near the ball as it flew past him. H-T 2-0

Nice cup of coffee at the break, but a bit steep at £1 a cup.....still it went down well and was most welcome on a really cold evening.

Second half - what a transformation! Both teams playing a completely different game - Millers pressing hard with United dropping back inviting them on......and on the hour the visitors were rewarded for their enterprising play when their no. 9 GARRY KHARAS stabbed home the loose ball from close range after the home defence failed to make a decent clearance.

Nine minutes later the scores were level. No. 10 TOMMY TURNER tried his luck from the edge of the area and was more amazed than anyone when the Long Eaton keeper allowed the ball to run under his body and into the back of the net. The Millers 5 shirt did run across the keeper as the ball was fired at him, but this was a poor attempt at a save. So scores level, and Kev predicted that the visitors would win 3-2..... a prediction that proved correct - the winning goal headed home by KHARAS after a free kick from the left found him unmarked a few yards from goal. Long Eaton offered little or nothing second half, and although the Millers were lucky with the second goal, on the balance of play they deserved the victory. F-T 2-3

Grabbed a few words with good friend and Long Eaton player Kelvin " Mushy" Mushambi after the final whistle ... he was disappointed to have lost after cruising the first half, but still managed to flash us that dazzling smile we know so well!!!! He must have seen the programme "pen-pic" -- YOUNG player!!! Well, I suppose he is - compared to me!!!!