( 2 ) ( 1 )
Winstanley
Salisbury
Zverina
L.Conway


A fine game between two footballing sides exemplified the high standard in this division as Villa gradually overcame their opponents to record an impressive victory.

From the start Villa were very much up for this game, with only three minutes played Pavel Zverina showed great control before releasing Liam Conway who was able to force a corner. The ball was cleared but two minutes later a sublime interchange of passes from Villa created an opening for Sam Shone, who saw his final effort saved. The visitors were also dangerous and they nearly caught out the Villa defence, but Shaun Gibbs produced a great save to turn the ball over.

Pavel Zverina was causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems with his close control. On fifteen minutes he attacked down the right before finding Sam Shone who saw his effort blocked. Then Damien Stewart caused problems down the centre before releasing Sam Shone whose shot was just wide. While the game was still very close it was Villa who were creating the better chances as both Liam Conway and Sam Shone had efforts saved.

The breakthrough came on thirty five minutes as a fierce low drive from the left by John Winstanley ricocheted into the net. The Villa joy was short-lived however as two minutes later a ball into the Villa box was driven home to put Fulwood level. The home side continued to press and they were rewarded with four minutes of the half remaining. A Villa corner on the right was not cleared by the Fulwood defence and John Salisbury was on hand to drive the ball into the roof of the net. Before the break Villa could have extended their lead further as firstly Pavel Zverina and then John Salisbury had efforts saved.

Villa started the second half as they finished the first, with only a minute played Adam McAlister and Liam Conway combined well down the right before the latter forced a save from the Fulwood keeper. Liam Conway was now in full flow constantly beating his fullback to cause problems for the visitors defence. On fifty two minutes Villa increased their lead following great work on the right from Damien Stewart, his low ball in was turned into the net by Pavel Zverina.

If Villa had played well in the first half they exceeded this in the second as the quality of their football constantly had the visitors on the back foot. On the hour Liam Conway came close with a left foot shot which flashed just over the bar. Then Matt Conway came close heading wide a Michael Thompson cross. With fifteen minutes remaining a brave header from Martin Whewell set up Liam Conway who saw his low shot saved.

On eighty minutes Villa scored their fourth. Following good work from Danny Dawson an effort on goal rebounded to Liam Conway who drove the ball home.
Villa should have had a fifth five minutes later as Danny Dawson was clearly upended in the box, but the referee was unsighted and waved play on.

In the end a fully deserved win to put Villa back to the top of the table, having beaten one of the best teams in the division. Once again their were outstanding performances all over the pitch, but man of the match must go to Liam Conway who more than anyone caused the visitors problems with his direct attacking play.

Team - Gibbs, McAlister, Thompson, Crombie, Winstanley, L.Conway, Salisbury, M.Conway, Stewart, ( Swift ) Shone, ( Whewell ) Zverina ( Dawson
)

Not used - Howard
Peralta