Long Eaton are as good a side as we’ve played all season, I’m more than satisfied that we’ve shared 6 points with them home and away.

Long Eaton’s supporters were exceptional yesterday, especially the little crew of rascals behind the goal - good job boys.

Our own supporters travelled in numbers and have given our team great support this week again - thank you.

Yesterday, we were, as I expected, a yard off our best due to Wednesday’s exertions, add the yard on it Long Eaton were due to being fresh and absolutely flying, we were having to work very, very hard first half. In our defence that’s our standard, our normal - soak up good pressure which wasn’t hurting us at all, then win the game if possible in our own time, that was unfortunately denied us by officials so far out their depth I felt hugely sorry for them, it actually wasn’t their fault as they should never have been put on the game.

The referee made a huge decision to send Aaron off, I’ve watched it back and it’s harsh, a better, more experienced referee wouldn’t have fell for the “Saving Private Ryan” action scene! The dramatics and theatre clearly affected the referee hugely, as it did all day, I think at one stage the Long Eaton 11 had his whistle, he was making that many decisions for him.

I could write a book on the second half and the officials, but it changes very little, we believe we were on the wrong end of it all afternoon, not in malice but incompetence but I guess I would say that wouldn’t I? We’ll review both red cards and react accordingly, history has shown that with the FA, if there’s evidence either reds are wrong they will overturn them - I have confidence in the appeal process on Alex’s red card.

After the final whistle the Long Eaton no.5 came to me to say Alex hadn’t done anything to him. Alex, who has played for me for nine years, said he hadn’t done anything yet the referee gave him a straight red on the word of a linesman that actually didn’t see it as it didn’t happen! So, I potentially lose my skipper for three games in a playoff run for something the referee didn’t see on the word of a linesman who made it up - beautiful - Happy Non League Day Deano !

Unfortunately for us the game won’t get replayed and the officials will get away with it Scot-free.

On a side issue, I’m extremely disappointed that teams in and around us in the league are playing against teams now very much weakened, I expected more from the NPL, I’m sure there’s a point of view teams can do what they like, it just doesn’t sit quite right with me, where every league point and league place is what we die for and what supporters pay for, I don’t think I’ve experienced it at step 7 let alone step 4.

We now travel to Worcester on Tuesday hoping for a fair crack at getting a result, if that happens we’ll be ready.  

UTD    

Dean.