Dunkirk 3-2 Long Eaton United

Dunkirk faced reigning Polymac Packaging League Cup holders Long Eaton looking to make it 3 wins in a row after winning their previous two against Brocton and away Belper Town on Saturday. Dunkirk made 7 changes to their starting lineup from Saturday's side and once again gave youngsters Clark, Osborne and Lang a place on the substitutes bench. Long Eaton are currently unbeaten in the Midland Football League with their only defeat of the season coming on Saturday losing 1-0 at Basford United. They also made changes to their starting lineup but in the 7th minute they raced into the lead good play from Kabongo on the left saw his cross flash across goal and was picked up by Mark Farthing at the far post who slotted past Coton and in to give Long Eaton the perfect start. Dunkirk responded as Coutts created space for himself but could only fire his effort over. Long Eaton were looking dangerous on the break and in the 29th minute again Kabongo managed to get a cross over that saw it met by Pilero but from 10 yards his effort went straight at the well placed Coton. Long Eaton again went close when acrobatics from goalscorer Farthing nearly went in but a brilliant save from Coton denied Long Eaton as they looked to extend their lead. In the 34th minute though Dunkirk restored parity when an excellent corner from Whalin and Hawkins saw Kieran Whalin find the far corner as he curled the ball in from the angle. Long Eaton responded when a quick break down the right side saw the cross pick out Kabongo whose goal bound effort was brilliantly saved by Coton as the sides went in at the break all square.

Dunkirk 1-1 Long Eaton United

Long Eaton made a double change at halftime as Rickford and Slack came on in place of Farthing and Bailey. Dunkirk though created the first chance of the half as Hemagou's powerful drive deflected off Rickford and flew just wide of the near post but from the corner Dunkirk went into the lead. Will Coutts whipped the ball in and it was met with a thumping header by Mark Green who made a great run towards the near post and emphatically got his reward in the 48th minute. Dunkirk's lead though didn't last long and in the 53rd minute Long Eaton levelled. With the Dunkirk defence over playing the ball eventually was played back to Matthew Coton who was pressured by Bradley Wells and as Wells challenged Coton the ball rolled into the Long Eaton strikers path for him to slot into the empty net. Only 6 minutes later though Dunkirk regained the lead in stunning fashion. Hemagou used his strength on halfway to work the ball to Whalin on the right side, he ran at the Long Eaton defence before cutting inside before unleashing a powerful drive that flew over Long Eaton goalkeeper Mansfield and into the top corner. A stunning strike. Dunkirk introduced youngsters Clark, Osborne and Lang as they continued to give them much needed first team experience but it was Long Eaton that did the pressing as they tried to get back into the game but it wasn't until the 83rd minute until they created anything clear cut as Slack stuck his effort towards the near post but Coton saved to tip behind. From the resultant corner it dropped to Rickford at the far post but his poor strike dragged wide from a great position. On 89 minutes again Long Eaton went close. Wells played on the shoulder of the last man and made ground down the right side of the penalty area before crossing to Kabongo but the ball was just behind him as he tried desperately to hook the ball in but it dropped over. Dunkirk finished the game with 10 men after Hawkins had gone over on his ankle and couldn't continue and with almost the last attack of the game Long Eaton saw penalty appeals waived away as Wells ran down the left channel and into the penalty area, across came Oliver Clark who tried to halt the run of the the goal bound Wells but as they came together Wells seemed to lose his balance and fell to ground and no penalty was awarded Wells was unfortunately shown a yellow card for simulation as the full time whistle was blown and another excellent win that was much deserved for the spirit shown by the boatmen.