South Normanton Ath v Long Eaton Utd

Errm... where are we??

Our good buddy "Mushy"

Saturday 1st December 2007 NCEL Premier Division

Thought this would be a good idea -- to see if Long Eaton had improved any since they were beaten 2-5 by South Normanton in September... Next time there is a choice of game. I am going to let Kev make the choice - this was a "stinker".

We got to the ground early, this is one of the easier grounds to find. Not pleasant to look at, Lees Lane is really in need of a cash injection - the changing rooms are portacabins, while "Shiners Diner" is an old shipping container.
The visit gave us chance to catch up with Normanton's Kelvin "Mushy" Mushambi - a long time friend, and gave us another chance to watch my work colleague Adam Holmes playing for Long Eaton.

The pitch was boggy, it kept raining on and off and it was very cold. Excuses over - this was poor by anyone's standards.
As far as using the September game as a barometer ? Forget it - these teams struggled all afternoon and didn't look like they had one goal in them, never mind seven!!

It wasn't made any easier to watch with only 8 out of the 22 floodlights on during the first period. Nothing on the pitch was very illuminating either. Kelvin showed a couple of great touches, but it was Adam that looked class - so cool and calm on the ball, even when boxed into the corner. He had probably the games best chance at goal as well, firing well over from about 12 yards in the second half.

The majority of the lights came on after the break, but one corner was not lit at all, and Ross Whalin in the Normanton goal did well to see anything, his area was so dark!! Finished goal-less.

Cup of coffee before the game, chip cob at half-time - both ok and reasonably priced. Officially 55 were in attendance....have they nothing better to do?

Tuesday 4th December .. there is only one game -- NCEL Premier Div -- Glapwell v Winterton Rangers -- 2nd v 1st .... this has to be better than the game we have just witnessed !