Villa returned to winning ways with a hard fought victory against one of the best teams in the division, on a perfect pitch both teams produced a fair well contested match.

From the start both teams endeavoured to play football, the first chance fell to the home side after three minutes with a lob shot which flew just over the Villa bar. From this point it was Villa who were in the ascendancy, on six minutes they were awarded a corner on the left, from the cross Sam Shone out jumped everyone to send a header crashing against the Fulwood post. The situation got even better four minutes later when a ball over the top of the home defence fell to Danny Dawson who showed why he is probably the most clinical finisher in the division with a low shot into the bottom corner.

As the half progressed the Villa momentum increased, after twenty minutes Danny Dawson again came close with a shot just over the bar, five minutes later Damien Stewart tested the keeper with a blistering drive from the left. On the other wing Liam Conway was also causing problems and on the half hour he curled a shot just over the bar. Two minutes later Villa went two up, Phil Woodman showed great strength winning the ball on the edge of the area before breaking into the box and drilling a low shot into the far corner of the net, giving the home keeper no chance.

Fulwood tried to respond and all credit to them finished the half strongly ,forcing a number of corners, which the Villa defence dealt with, but Villa almost grabbed a third when Sam Shone released Damien Stewart on the left, only for his shot to fly just over the bar. Then on the stroke of half-time Fulwood pulled a goal back, Dave Bibby courageously saved three attempts on his goal before finally being beaten by a low shot into the bottom corner.

The second Half started with the home side trying to increase the pressure, but it was Villa who had the first chance of the half as from a corner Phil Woodman headed just over. He came close again five minutes later when played in by Danny Dawson, only for his shot to fly past the post. Danny Dawson then picked up a ball outside the box before cutting inside to again test
the home keeper .Villa continued to have chances in a much closer contested second half,
Danny Dawson put a shot just past the post, then Rhenden Pillay tested the keeper from range following a strong run on the left. As the game progressed Villa had to make changes due to injuries, and in the latter part of the match found themselves under increasing pressure from the home side. All credit must go to Dave Bibby and his back four as they held firm against
a late Fulwood onslaught surviving a late attempt which hit the post, but on the balance of overall play and chances created Villa deserved the points against a very good side.

Team  -  Bibby, McAlister, Bowman,( Bradshaw ) O'Loughlin, Crombie, L.Conway,( Winstanley ) Woodman, M.Conway. ( Pillay ) Stewart, Shone, Dawson.

Not used - Monks.