LONG EATON HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A POINT

LONG EATON UNITED 0 HIGHGATE UNITED 0
MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER @ GRANGE PARK
18 AUGUST 2018 --- 3PM

ZAC GOODSON COMES UP AGAINST A HIGHGATE UNITED WALL OF PINK

Offer Long Eaton a point before the start of the game against one of the early pacesetters Highgate United and they would have taken it but after a first half that saw 2 efforts strike the woodwork and another force an excellent save out of the visiting keeper they would have been disappointed not to take all three points.

THE STAR OF THE SHOW AT GRANGE PARK

Todays game had seen much flip-flopping with Grimethorpe not ready and much joy expected on the local trains due to the varying football fans travelling along my routes the selection of Long Eaton United saw me stay in county and complete the expedition on buses. 
It had been a while dear Long Eaton United since a game had been watched on the creditable facility that is Grange Park.  So with an 11am set off to Derby for the change arrival in the town was around 1245pm with the chance for a brief walk around the shopping area it always amazes me how other towns of this size have struggled but Long Eaton seems to keep a vibrant centre in comparison it may be due to its border town location.  With the town having a Nottingham postcode and same city phone code the fun of the fair is that its actually a Derbyshire town with two major supermarkets squaring up to one another over the main A6005 that runs through Long Eaton.
Its always difficult to describe towns fairly local to you whereby on your travels you can wax lyrically about stuff the locals don't care about.  Here though one of the former large employers is the Toton rail sidings just on the edge of the town and with the river Trent, Erewash canal and former mill buildings Long Eaton is an interesting proposition for a visit.

FIRST BEND INTO THE SECOND AT INVADERS FORMER STATION ROAD HOME

In a bit of continuity from the last blog that featured speedway the approach to the ground was through the recently built housing estate built on the former site of Long Eaton Invaders speedway track with the streets taking on varying names associated with the sport.  There was even a mini park area left grassed and with an inbuilt curve on the site of the first and second bend for added realism.
Over Station Road and along the approach drive way you nearly do a full exterior circuit of the ground before reaching the turnstiles.

SMALLER OF THE TWO STANDS AT GRANGE PARK

Age is clearly getting the better of my looks having been charged, including a programme, a cheap price I questioned if the programme had been charged for 'yes programme and concession rate' came the reply to which I offered up the additional £3 before anybody asks to bring things to a correct conclusion.
My last visit to Grange Park would probably have been around four years ago but since then it seems to have moved up a notch even though it was always a tidy little ground.  Having not blogged from here before a quick circuit and descriptor as we set off to our left.  Large deep concrete hard standing take us around by the back of the goals and to the fair side which houses two well separated dugouts and between these a old style concrete stand with a selection of seats added to what used to be a standing area coming around by the far goal its more uncovered standing before we come back to the business end.  First a newer covered standing area with a hospitality cabin separating us from the start of the ground the cantilever Big Jim stand, named after former chairman Jim Farley whose son of the same name undertakes that role in current days.

WOULD LONG EATON GET OFF TO A FLYING START

The whole edge of the pitch is separated with smart blue meshed fencing that added a professional touch to the stadium.  Behind the stand and by the turnstiles is the clubhouse this has seen an update since my last visit with a relocation of the bar alongside a selection of TV screens showing todays lunchtime action.  With time available to obtain a drink and a snack it was noteworthy of what a smart ground this was ably assisted by an excellent clubhouse.

LETS DISPEL THE RUMOUR THAT REFEREES OBSERVERS ARE HERE FOR THE SNAP....OH HELLO MALC

My observation skills were not well homed because I had failed to spot referees observer Malc Gratton with the officials pre match but just before kick off it was nice to re make his acquaintance and catch up with his season so far.
To the game then and after a cagey start good work from Zac Goodson set up Fabien Smith who saw his effort pushed over by Bradley Catlow in the visitors goal after 21 minutes. 
Most of the possession was coming from Long Eaton who were unlucky just over the half hour mark when a 25 yard effort from Tom Gamblen crashed back off the bar before half time Goodson hit the post.  By the whistle Long Eaton on a better day could have been three goals to the good and Highgate out of the game.

THE RACE IS ON

The second period proved to be a dour affair with even fewer chances than the first half probably the best fell to the visitors Lei Brown whose curling effort forced Scott Low into a one handed save.
The longer it went on the more you could see the 0-0 score line coming and the first one for well over a season was beckoning the referees whistle.

LETS GET PHYSICAL

A game full of endeavour and effort make no doubt but from a spectacle point of view there wasn't too much to get excited about.  In the end Highgate would go back with a point that kept them undefeated and Long Eaton can dream about what might have been had the first half efforts gone in.