By Kurt Bigg
Long Eaton United manager Ian Deakin was ecstatic to see his “fantastic” side progress into the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase.
After a 1-1 draw at home to Westfields, the Blues won 5-4 in a nervy penalty shootout to set up a fifth-round tie away at Combined Counties Premier Division side Hanworth Villa.
On the game, Deakin said: “The lads were fantastic to be fair. The first half, they (Villa) were good value for their lead, we didn’t turn up.
“To a man I can’t fault them. They knew the first-half performance was not good enough, but they raised their levels.
“We had a little bit of a talk in the dressing room at half time as you would expect. They rose to the challenge once again when we asked questions of them.
“Penalties are always a bit of a lottery. Luckily enough, we came out on the right side with some well-taken penalties and a save from the big man [Jake Askew] at the end to put us through.”
Goalkeeper Askew performed heroics during the penalty shoot-out saving the all-important spot kick from Billy Murphy and winning his club ÂŁ1,875 in prize money.
You can watch every penalty from yesterday's shootout triumph via the link below! ⬇️https://t.co/wOJo28mWx3#YouBlues 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/ZMeF4Sr6PO
— Long Eaton United FC (@LongEatonUnited) April 18, 2021
“It’s an amazing feeling,” the shot-stopper said. “Obviously as a goalkeeper it feels good to be a hero in a sense. It was quite a scrappy game, but I think in the end we deserved it.
“I think on the first three penalties, I went the right way so I knew I would get one. I backed myself to get one as well. It feels good.”
Askew talked about keeping his side’s season alive and looking forward to the fifth round tie against Hanworth Villa.
He said: “This is what it’s all about. If we had lost, that would have been it, season over. But we have got something to play for now so we’re looking forward to it.
“It feels amazing. We are through to the next round and we’re looking forward to it.”
Long Eaton’s first ever FA Vase fifth round tie takes place on Saturday, April 24 and, if the Blues progress, they will be just two games away from booking a place at Wembley Stadium for Non-League Finals Day.
