Starting Line Up – Nathan Stone, Joel Hardy, Kyle Daley, Liam King ©, Rhys Charlton, Ryan Seale, Charlie Otterwell, Jacob Ward, Matthew Geeves, Oliver Naylor, Jordan Mogford –

Subs, Jack Patterson, Will Doherty, Jason Barratt, Mitchell Heir, Harry Brocklehurst.

A bumper crowd greeted the two teams as they entered the field of play for the eagerly anticipated cup game.

Grantham started brightly and seemed to find their feet early, knocking the ball around with confidence, however the Heanor defence stood tall to the pressure that they was put under in the first 5 minutes. Heanor started to settle and enjoyed the best part of the next 20 minutes, Notably 15 year old Kyle Daley playing full back, calm on the ball, with a fantastic touch and looking like he had played 100 games prior to his debut tonight. The young lions went close with efforts from Oliver Naylor and Jacob Ward within this impressive spell of possession. The game then swung the way of the visitors and some brave and at times heroic defending by Heanor keep the scores level, however on 41 minutes Grantham took the lead when a corner which was cleared was picked up by the right midfielder who travelled with the ball and the unleashed a 35 yard cross shot into the bottom left hand corner of Heanors net. 1-0 Grantham Town. With 4 minutes left Heanor started to buckle, and at this point the half time whistle was gladly appreciated.

2nd Half Heanor came out the traps extremely quick and within 5 minutes had scored the equaliser. Oliver Naylor who all night showed passion, determination and effort, was rewarded when he looped the ball over the keepers head to draw the teams level. 1-1. The next 10 minutes Heanor continued to hammer at the door, Naylor going close again after some great work, Matt Geeves coming close from inside the area. The visitors then found 2nd wind and almost took the lead only for Nathan Stone to make a brave challenge to keep the scores level. The game started to get stretched and turn into a real cup tie, both teams having chances, both teams failing to convert. The Full Time whistle blew 1-1

Extra Time

Tired legs started to show as players began to tire. Oliver Naylor who was a clear winner of man of the match for both teams broke free, only to slice his shot wide. Captain Liam King unleashed a 45 yard strike which looped over the keeper, only to crash against the underside, calls for goal line technology at this stage fell on death ears as the linesman failed to move or make a decision. Nathan Stone (GK) then had to be carried off the pitch after falling awkwardly. Jack Patterson took to the field and replaced the injured keeper. With 5 minutes before the end of extra time the soccer punch came, a cross from the left had side and some confusion in the box led to the ball spilling to the outside of the box which was picked up by a grantham player who smashed the ball low and hard, Rhys Charlton’s attempts to block the shot on the line were in vein and Grantham had taken the lead. 2-1

The 2nd period of extra time Heanor started to press a header from close range pulled wide from Liam King, the chances kept coming. Heanor deciding to play 3 at the back and push Ryan Seale upfront for the last 6 minutes in an attempt to draw the tie. Unfortunately it was not meant to be and the game ended Heanor Town 1 Grantham Town 2.

“This evening I was immensely proud of the boys, at times we showed desire, determination and work rate for each other. The lads are clearly disappointed in the result but that shows to me that they care and this is all we can ask. From the clubs point of view this is another step in the right direction. 2 years ago we had no real youth set up at this football club from the route from Juniors to the 1st Team. Today we have a Reserves, Under 21’s, and Under 18’s full of promising young talent that are playing at good standards of football. Tonight we have had a team from this Town play in a prestigious cup competition, The FA Youth Cup. For some of these boys it may be the biggest game they will ever play in, for some of them I hope it will be the beginning of a career that will see bigger and better nights for them, behind the scenes we have a lot of people working hard to develop and direct these players to the bigger and better nights, and I hope the people that came to support us tonight see the big picture of what we want to achieve. I also hope that the local talented youngsters of Heanor and the local areas are inspired by what this club can offer and contact us when looking for a club to develop their game. if you have the right attitude and listen we will give you your chance. A 15 year old boy has played in this game tonight which proves just that. If you are good enough you are old enough”

Thank you for your support

Heanor Town Development Squad