| |
A dour game played in poor
conditions saw both defences in control, until a late strike
from Matthew Atherton broke the deadlock to give Villa a
deserved three points to maintain their good run of form.
The game was played in poor visibility and was lucky to
finish as the fog descended and lifted throughout the course
of the match. Villa started brightly and on three minutes
Matthew Atherton attacked down the left before cutting
inside and hitting a right foot shot over the bar. On seven
minutes good wing play from Matthew Atherton forced a corner
which the Thornton defence managed to clear. Villa continued
to press and on ten minutes forced another corner, Liam
Conway's kick was met by James O'Loughlin whose header was
wide of the post.
The visitors were very solid at the back and while Villa had
the bulk of the possession their goal scoring opportunities
were limited. With twenty-one minutes played Villa pressed
down the left, the ball in was turned into the path of Matt
Conway by Adrian Briggs, whose low shot was just wide of the
post. Euxton continued to probe and came close again on
twenty-six minutes when from a corner, the ball fell to
Craig Chambers, his well hit drive was again just wide of
the mark. The visitors were not troubling the Villa defence
too much, as the back four were very solid and keeper Adam
Stone was very confidant in his handling of the ball. The
half finished without any further clear cut chances for
either side.
The second half carried on in much the same vein as the
first, Villa attacking and resolute defending from Thornton
Cleveleys, Villa gave a debut to centre forward Paul Hutson
who worked tirelessly up front, before giving way to Anton
Martin. All the best chances were still falling to the home
side as they continued to press, looking for the
break-through. On fifty-five minutes Matthew Atherton again
caused problems down the left as he saw his low shot saved
for a corner. Once again the Thornton defence were able to
clear the danger.
By the latter stages of the half it looked as if one goal
would be enough to secure the three points, but the visitors
had adopted a what we have we hold policy. They were
beginning to feel they had achieved a well earned away point
in their quest to move up the table. Villa continued to
press back their opponents. With ten minutes remaining Liam
Conway attacked down the right, before skimming the top of
the crossbar with a well struck effort.
The visitors must have thought their luck would now hold out
until the final whistle, but everything when badly wrong for
them a minute later as a ball down the left released Matthew
Atherton who beat the keeper with a deflected shot.
The visitors now had to try to salvage something from the
game, but the Villa defence ensured that the three points
were save as they saw out the remaining minutes comfortably
to gain a hard worked win. Not a classic, but both sides
worked hard, and made the best of the poor conditions.
Team - Stone, C.Chambers, O'Loughlin, Crombie, Winstanley,
L.Conway, Bradshaw
M.Conway, ( Curwen ) Atherton, Briggs, ( Shone ) Hutson, (
Martin)
Discuss this game in the Villa Room!! |
|
