( 5 ) ( 1 )
Dawson 4
Stewart 3
L.Conway 3

Villa produced a stunning display on the open day of the season in defence of their league title, the performance was only flawed by some late defensive lapses.

The home side could not have got off to a better start going a goal up in the first minute. They attacked down the right, as the Freckleton defence tried to clear Danny Dawson robbed a defender, the goalkeeper could only parry his well struck shot, and Liam Conway following up put Villa ahead.
The visitors immediately went on the attack. With five minutes played they won a corner on the left from which they equalised with a header finding the net via the underside of the bar.

This lifted Feckleton and they continued pressing, Shaun Gibbs was forced into a low save as a shot came through a group of players. Gradually Euxton started to impose themselves with some intricate passing. They regained the lead after fourteen minutes when a great ball down the left by Damien Stewart released Danny Dawson who beat the keeper from what looked like an impossible angle. Villa were now starting to control the game, a pinpoint pass from John Salisbury played in Damien Stewart, his cross was met by Danny Dawson, but his effort was just wide of the foot of the post.

Villa went further ahead after twenty five minutes when a burst of pace down the right by Liam Conway put him clear of the visitors defence, he beat the keeper with a low shot into the bottom corner. Freckleton were now being restricted to the odd breakaway, but they tested Shaun Gibbs on twenty eight minutes as he was forced to tip a shot over the bar. With five minutes of the first half remaining Villa increased their lead, once again Damien Stewart was the provider as Danny Dawson turned in his cross. Just before the break Villa added a fifth as Danny Dawson hit forward a long ball from the left, and Damien Stewart just managed to touch the ball home.

From the restart Villa continued to attack, within a minute Danny Dawson put a shot just wide, then Matt Conway set up John Salisbury whose low shot was scrambled away for a corner, from which James O'Loughlin headed over the bar. On fifty two minutes a peach of a ball over the visitors defence from John Winstanley put through Liam Conway, his cross was met by Damien Stewart who scored with a thunderous drive.

Freckleton pulled a goal back four minutes later with a low shot after Villa had failed to clear a ball into the box. A minute later they restored their advantage with the best goal of the game. Rhenden Pillay put in a low cross from the right and Danny Dawson casually curled the ball inside the near post. The visitors came close again as Shaun Gibbs had to tip a deflected shot over the bar.

Euxton nearly increased their lead further when a ball in from the right was headed against the underside of the bar by Rhenden Pillay. The last fifteen minutes produced five goals. On seventy six minutes Villa were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Damien Stewart took the kick quickly beating the keeper with a low curling shot. Six minutes later the visitors pulled a goal back with a header. Two minutes later Liam Conway got his third, turning in a cross from the left by Rhenden Pillay.

The visitors were not yet finished as with four minutes remaining they scored again, but just on full time Villa reached double figures as Danny Dawson completed a fine afternoon with his fourth goal of the game. An outstanding performance from the home side who throughout tried to play attractive football.

Team - Gibbs, Winstanley, Brown, O'Loughlin, Crombie, M.Conway,( Wood )
Salisbury, ( McAlister )Swift,
( Pillay ) L.Conway, Dawson, Stewart.

Not used - Thompson, Walmsley.