Main_v_Long_Eaton_United_06_01

Main were looking to end their recent run of defeats when they entertained Long Eaton United at Muglet Lane with stand-in manager Craig McCormick making three changes from the side that narrowly lost at Liversedge. Nicky Darker, Chris Dickman and Jovan Maric were named on the bench with Luke Fletcher, Liam Kay and Danny Payne replacing them in the starting line-up.

The visitors set off the stronger with Alec Steadman being denied by Main skipper Chris Piperithis in only the third minute.

United almost had the lead in the sixth minute when Channon North raced in on goal but Olly Schofield came out and saved well with his feet, the ball spinning free to Scott Downie who side footed the ball goalwards but Piperithis was again on hand to block the danger.

The visitors did take the lead in the eighth minute when North side footed in from close range following Steadman’s run down the wing and low cross.

Matt McCaul wasted a great chance to double Long Eaton’s lead in the fifteenth minute when he smashed the ball high over the bar from ten yards and United had the ball in the net again in the twenty third minute when North raced in on goal and played the ball to Downie who side footed in from close range but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

On the half hour mark Kay dispossessed Paul McGinty and raced down the wing. His cross was met by Scott Somerville with a spectacular volley but it was straight at Wayne White in the United goal.

Main equalised in the thirty eight minute when Somerville controlled Hobson’s long throw and smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Downie thought he had put the visitors back into the lead in a minute before the break but his powerful strike rattled the bar and bounced down onto the line. While Downie was claiming the ball had cross the line Piperithis cleared the ball down field.

Main came out for the second half with a desire to end their winless streak and in the fifteth minute Hirst raced down the wing and his cross

was blocked behind for a corner by McCaul. Kay curled in the corner and Paul Staniforth rose high but his header flew inches wide.

On the hour mark Adam Newton squandered a glorious chance to break the deadlock when he latched onto Steadman’s low cross but his shot flew high over the Maltby bar.

Five minutes later Russ Hobson had his fierce volley saved from long range by White and Main were unlucky not to have anything to show for a great move in the sixty seventh minute when Payne raced onto Staniforth’s long ball forward but his cross was just behind Somerville as he closed in on goal.

Main made an attacking change with Nicky Darker coming on for Jordan Stock and the home side were awarded a corner in the seventy sixth minute after White fumbled Payne’s strike. Kay lifted the ball into the area and both Somerville and Staniforth had shots blocked.

In the eighty second minute Main keeper Schofield denied Downie when he tipped his strike onto the crossbar. The ball came down and a goalmouth scramble ensued, the ball broke loose and Nathan Parker fired high over the bar. The visiting players were claiming the ball had crossed the line, the referee went over to his assistant who gave a free kick to Maltby for handball by Downie on the line.

Steadman sealed the points for the visitors when he side footed past Schofield in the eighty sixth minute before Darker was forced to be re-substituted in the ninty second minute due to an injury, Jovan Maric replacing him.

Main: Olly Schofield, Craig McCormick, Paul Staniforth, Luke Fletcher, Chris Piperithis (Capt), Liam Kay, Andy Hirst, Russ Hobson, Scott Somerville, Danny Payne, Jordan Stock (Nicky Darker 72 then Jovan Maric 92).

Unused Sub: Chris Dickman.