Boldmere St Michaels 2 Long Eaton United 0
Isuzu FA Trophy Preliminary Round Saturday 15 August 2026
The Mikes made it three games without conceding a goal, thanks to an exceptional performance between the sticks by Jack Higgs, and gritty defence from all concerned. The visitors only had three substitutes, and used only two – odd, when you consider the temperature, the game was played in: Boldmere used all five of theirs, from fifty-five minutes on.
The Blues played the neat passing football we expect from them, while the Mikes, going forward, weren’t helped by a referee who didn’t distinguish between a defender and an octopus. An otherwise excellent game saw the opponents cancel each other out, the nearest we came to a goal coming after eight minutes, Harry Eden sending in a long curler which flew past Higgs’ left post. Manager Ben soon received a yellow card; though one understands his frustration at the standard of officiating on view. Eighteen minutes in, it needed a desperate Higgs waft, and an athletic punch, to keep a Boldmere clean sheet, as the home rearguard was split apart.
The first goal soon followed. A packed penalty area defended a Boldmere corner, and the ball headed out to Frazer Doyle, near pitch edge. A long, swinging return threaded its way through the massed troops…and tucked itself inside the far post. Another fine Higgs effort took us to the break. Half time: 1-0.
Long Eaton came back out in determined mood, and laid extended siege to their hosts’ net. More excellence from Higgs followed, including a save that reminded you of Jeff Banks’ save from Pele, all those years ago. On the hour, the Mikes doubled their visitors’ difficulty. An incisive pass set Daniele Reka free, with only the keeper to beat. You often see custodian’s legs saving this situation; but Reka’s neat nutmeg put Boldmere two goals to the good.
The Mikes could now sit back and soak up the pressure – which the Blues applied with commendable application. Keeper King was now on the half way line, and up for their final corner; but fresh Boldmere legs helped the Mikes to continue to harry, worry, and keep their guests passing along the back line, looking for a chink in Boldmere’s armour. The Mikes, however, remained chinkless, and saw out time…and a place in Round One.
Boldmere St Michaels: Jack Higgs; Frankie Ealing; Jack Lynch; Aris Christophorou; Nathan Allison; Jack Burgess; Maxwell Ngbeken-Itota (Brad Mansell 67); Frazer Doyle (Connor Armstrong 55); Omotolani Omotola (Daniele Reka 55); John Atherton (Jaiy Leydon 58); Kyle Byrne (James O’Neill 78).
Long Eaton United: Lewis King; George Atwai (Luke Williamson 67); Harry Eden; Callum Cocks; Jayden Cotterill; Gianluca Bucci; Jahvan Davidson-Miller; Alex Howes; Evan Garnett; Connor Pace (Curtis Durose 58); James Taylor. Sub. Not used: Aaron Cole.