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Villa gave the league leaders a real test in a game they
could have won, and should have at least drawn.
In a first half were the visitors were mainly on top, they
had at least three one on one's with the Poulton keeper, and
missed a penalty. Against a good side if you don't take your
chances you will be punished, that was the story of Villa's
day.
Villa gave first starts to Danny Nolan and Ashley Dunn, both
players had outstanding games.
From the start Villa attacked and good interplay between
Danny Nolan, and Liam Conway set up Matthew Atherton who
forced the keeper to save. The Poulton defence were
struggling with the pace of the Villa forward line. Euxton
came close again on eight minutes when clever work by Danny
Nolan released Liam Conway, his shot was saved. Danny Nolan
following up shot wide. It looked only a matter of time
before Villa scored. They were through again on sixteen
minutes when Matthew Atherton broke from the left, forcing
the keeper to save at his feet. The home side now had their
best spell of the half, they came close on eighteen minutes
with a ball across the face of goal. Poulton continued to
press and a minute later Adam Stone was forced into a good
save at the foot of his post. He was on hand again moments
later to pull another fine save.
All credit to the visitor, who themselves went back onto the
attack. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the
area. Matthew Atherton's effort was blocked by the wall.
Villa caused problems two minutes later when Ashley Dunn
broke down the right before driving a low ball across the
face of goal.
The breakthrough seemed to have come on the half-hour, a
good interchange of passes again put Matthew Atherton into
the box, this time to be brought down from behind. He took
the resulting penalty, only to see the keeper save at the
foot of the post. Villa continued to press for the remainder
of the half, coming close on at least a further two
occasions, but the half finished goal-less.
The home side were always going to increase the pressure in
the second half, although the first chance fell to the
Villa, they were awarded a free-kick on the right of the
box, but the attempt was saved by the Poulton keeper.
Things then went disastrously wrong during a six minute
spell. On 49 minutes a ball over the top caught out the
Villa defence, allowing Poulton to lob Adam Stone to take
the lead. Two minutes later a ball in from the right was not
cleared and was headed back across goal for two nil. The two
quick goals stunned Villa and they conceded a third four
minutes later, when Poulton drove in a free-kick from the
edge of the area.
Euxton went to three at the back and pushed Ian Curwen up
front, his aerial power immediately caused problems for the
Poulton defence, as Villa again pushed the home side back.
The pressure told on the hour as Villa won a corner, the
ball in was driven into the roof of the net by Matthew
Atherton, if the home side thought the game was over at
three nil, they now realised they were still in a match as
Villa refused to concede. On 72 minutes Danny Nolan produced
a great turn in the box, only to see his effort saved.
With 77 minutes played Villa increased the pressure further,
Liam Conway on the right found Matt Conway, his ball into
the box was turned into the net by Sam Shone.
The home side were clearly rattled as Villa continued to
press for an equaliser, on eighty minutes a header on by Ian
Curwen set free Danny Nolan who shot just wide. Villa pushed
everyone forward, but on 86 minutes they were caught on the
break by Poulton who scored their fourth.
Villa would still not give up the game and a minute later
Danny Nolan again came close with a long range shot. This
was a very good game between two well matched sides. Good
luck to Poulton Town who seem to be heading to the league
title.
Team - Stone, C.Chambers, O'Loughlin, Crombie, Winstanley, (
Curwen )
Salisbury ( Shone ) Bradshaw, ( M.Conway ) Dunn, Atherton,
L.Conway, Nolan.
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