Euxton Villa 2 Charnock Richard 2
              ( 1 )                        ( 1 )
Dickinson
Martin (Pen)

In the end a draw was just about a fair result in this well contested local derby, with both sides having periods of domination and both also having opportunities to win the game.

Villa had an early chance to edge ahead when after two minutes Mark Swift broke down the middle, unfortunately his shot was just too high. This was a good attacking spell from the home side. On seven minutes they had a second near miss, Mark Swift was again involved, this time attacking down the left wing before putting over a dangerous cross which was met by Anton Martin whose powerful header flew over the bar.

Euxton were having all the early pressure and on twelve minutes a good ball in from the right by Craig Chambers resulted in a glancing header by Anton Martin flashing past the far post.

Charnock were now starting to get more into the game, causing Villa problems with their wide play, but the home defence were holding firm. On twenty minutes Mark Swift was again unlucky with a first time shot following a free kick. The game by this stage was very even with both sides having chances,however it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after twenty eight minutes. A ball was played into the Villa box from the left, the attempted clearance fell to a Charnock forward who was able to run on and beat keeper Karl Sutton with a low shot. The goal was not totally unexpected as the visitors had been looking increasingly dangerous.

Villa to their credit rallied and went back on the offensive, two minutes after conceding they nearly drew level when Mick Bradshaw turned in the box before seeing his low shot fly past the foot of the post. The home side lifted their game forcing the visitors back, Villa again came close after thirty eight minutes when a Mark Swift shot was inches wide of the post. At this point it looked as if Charnock would hold onto their lead into the half-time break, but with three minutes of the half remaining Villa forced a corner which was cleared for a second corner. Liam Conway took the kick, and his perfectly flighted ball was met by Ross Dickinson running across the face of goal, his well directed header left the Charnock keeper stranded to level the match. The teams reached the halfway point of the game still level, which was a reasonably reflection on the first half of the match.

Both sides started the second half believing the points were there for the taking, but it was Villa who were the more dangerous as they put the visitors onto the back foot with early sustained pressure. With forty eight minutes played Anton Martin won a ball out on the right before cutting inside and delivering a ball across the face of goal, unfortunately no-one was able to capitalise on it. Two minutes later Villa had the lead their early second half pressure warranted. A through ball was missed by the advancing keeper which allowed Mark Swift to take the ball past him, forcing the last defender to bring him down. Anton Martin took the resulting spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way to put Villa in front.

This time it was Charnock who had to raise their game, and in fairness they did. The visitors started to play their best football of the game, putting Villa under increasing pressure. The home defence were now working hard to keep the visitors out, but they were caught out after sixty five minutes.
Charnock were awarded a free kick just outside the box and the Villa defence were unable to cut out a quickly taken free kick which allowed the Charnock centre forward into the box and score with a rising shot into the roof of the net. From this point it was as if both teams were happy to settle for a point. Both sides continued to attack but with more caution, the onus being on not conceding another goal. So in the end the match finished level, the game had been played in a good spirit and the final result was the correct one.

Team - Sutton, C.Chambers ( Winstanley ) Dickinson, O'Loughlin, Crombie,L.Conway, Bradshaw, Marquis, Swift, ( Clarkson ) Shone, ( Briggs ) Martin.

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