( 2 ) ( 1 )
Shone
O'Loughlin
Zverina

This was very much a game of two halves, with the home side on top for the first half hour, before Villa started to get back into the game and totally dominate the second half.

On three minutes a long throw from John Salisbury was headed on by Sam Shone to Damien Stewart who hooked a shot just over the bar. A minute later and Villa were behind. The defence were caught out by a long ball over the top which feel kindly for the Blackpool centre forward to hook home. The game at this point was being played at a ferocious pace with neither side having much time to settle on the ball.

With twenty three minutes played things got worse for the visitors when a long ball down the centre released a Blackpool forward who put a low shot inside the post. At this point in the game the home side were having the better of the play. Gradually Villa started to settle. Damien Stewart saw a free kick saved by the keeper. Blackpool were still dangerous and nearly caught Villa out again, but Shaun Gibbs saved the effort. Euxton were now starting to play better football, a good combination between Danny Dawson and Sam Shone forced a corner which was headed just over the bar by John Salisbury.

The same player came close again when released down the right by John Winstanley, shooting just wide of the post. Villa were now finishing the half strongly, Matt Conway hit a low shot just wide. With five minutes of the half remaining Villa pulled a goal back. The move was started by Danny Dawson who cut into the box from the right beating two defenders before laying the ball off to Sam Shone who scored with a low shot. A minute later and Villa thought they were level, Sam Shone robbed a defender on the edge of the area before lobbing the keeper, but the referee blew for a foul. The last action of the half saw a long range Blackpool shot flying towards the top corner before Shaun Gibbs brilliantly tipped the effort over.

From the break Villa took over the game, within two minutes of the restart they had the ball in the net again. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Danny Dawson scored with the kick, but the referee disallowed the goal saying the kick was indirect, but the Blackpool keeper touched the ball when trying to save the free kick. Villa were not to be denied and three minutes later they were level, a long ball into the Blackpool box caused problems for the home defence as they struggled to clear the danger. A fierce Damien Stewart shot was blocked, but James O'Loughlin following up turned the ball home.

It was now all one way traffic with the play totally in the Blackpool half.
Damien Stewart got behind the home defence cut the ball back across the face of goal were both Danny Dawson and Sam Shone had efforts blocked. This pressure continued as Villa pressed for a winner with repeated efforts being blocked or hitting the woodwork. With fifteen minutes remaining and against the run of play Blackpool regained the lead with a long range lob.

Villa continued to attack and were repeatedly getting behind the home defence down the flanks. With nine minutes left Damien Stewart cut the ball back and Pavel Zverina followed up to score. To the final whistle Villa pushed for the winner their second half display deserved. Hernan Peralta came close near the end shooting just wide. Villa deserve great credit for coming back from such a bad start and there were some outstanding performances, but man of the match was John Winstanley who was excellent throughout.

Team - Gibbs, Winstanley, O'Loughlin, Crombie, Swift, ( Howard )
Salisbury, Thompson, ( Zverina ) Shone, M.Conway ( Peralta ) Stewart, Dawson.