Long Eaton United come into this match in good form, winning five league matches on the trot. Including their 1-0 victory over Racing Club Warwick at the weekend, thanks to a first-half penalty from Jamie Walker.

Coventry Sphinx experienced their first league defeat of the season in a visit to St. John’s Park on Saturday, where they were beaten 2-1 by Heather St. John’s. Ashanti Pryce opened the scoring for the Sphinx, however, second-half goals from Daniel Hanson and Harry Holloway condemned the visitors.

Both teams boasted very similar Emirates FA Cup runs, with the Blues being knocked out in the First Qualifying Round by Hednesford Town, and Coventry Sphinx being knocked out in the same round by Ilkeston Town.

Managers Quotes -

Ian Deakin understands that the packed calendar will start to have an effect on the players, speaking after the Blues’ 1-0 win, he said: “I think they will all know that there is a lot of games coming up and it is hard to keep going Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, so this is why we have a good squad of players.”

Reflecting on the match against Coventry Sphinx last season, where there were two red cards for the Blues, Deakin explained: “When we last played them it was my first game in charge and I think to be honest with you, those red cards when you look back at them, and there was a few today [against Racing Club Warwick] where I think the referees were just pulling cards out for the most minor things.

“I think you have to understand the conditions and the game, and sometimes it is just difficult for the players.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday evening, Deakin added: “We will go to Coventry Sphinx on Tuesday with the same mindset that we always have; to go and win the game. I am looking forward to it.

“We will be raring to go with a strong fully fit squad, we will have a look at the lads in the changing room, but fundamentally I am overjoyed with the way they have battled so far this season.”

Previous Meetings –

Sphinx are another one of the few teams that the Blues faced twice last season. Their most recent being the final game of the 19/20 season at the Ryona Engineering Supplies Stadium, before the season was null and void.

This was Ian Deakin, Craig Swinscoe, and Adam Campbell’s first game as the management team, and the Blues fought to a 2-2 draw. Alex Marshall and former Blue David Kolodynski scored in that match, however, Marshall and Paolo Piliero both received red cards, which meant the Blues finished with nine men.

Our previous meeting at Grange Park was the Blues’ second league match of the 19/20 season, where Long Eaton walked away as 6-2 victors. Former Blue Niall Towle scored four, with Kolodynski getting one, and James Shaw also popping up on the scoresheet to secure the Blues first win of that season.

Team News –

New signing Tom Marshall will be a part of the traveling squad and will be looking to make his debut, after arriving from Ilkeston Town on Monday.

There is also likely to be slight rotation in the squad so that players who have racked up a lot of minutes get a rest as we continue through our busy schedule.

Ticket Information –

£7 Adults
£5 Concessions
£1 U16s (Accompanied by an adult)

The match kicks off at 7.30 pm, so we advise all our traveling fans to get there as early as possible to avoid any queues at both the turnstiles and at the entrance to the car park. (Parking is free)

Please ensure that you follow the COVID-19 safety measures put in place around the ground by Coventry Sphinx, including: the need for sanitised hands, face coverings inside the clubhouse until seated, track and trace requirements, and appropriate social distancing.

The bar inside the clubhouse will close at 10 pm.