17/03/07                ( 2 )   ( 0 )
               Atherton
               E.Dunn

Report - An outstanding first half display of attacking football gave Villa the points against a strong Turton side. A result which saw Euxton move up to fourth in the table as they maintained their run of good results.

From the start Villa attacked as the visitors defence struggled to cope with the pace of the Euxton forwards. With eight minutes played the home side won a corner. Mick Bradshaw saw his header cleared, but only to Rhys Crombie whose low returned drive forced the keeper into a save. At this point in the game it was all one way traffic as Villa probed for a breakthrough. It arrived after fourteen minutes, Matthew Atherton played in Elliot Dunn, his effort was turned away for a corner. Liam Conway took the kick which allowed Matthew Atherton a free header to put his side one up.

There was no let up for Turton as Villa maintained the pressure. On twenty three minutes Matt Conway forced the keeper into a full length save to keep out his well struck shot. With thirty minutes played Villa increased their lead, this time Matthew Atherton turned provider, good build up play by Euxton saw the ball floated into the box allowing Matthew Atherton to head the ball down to Elliot Dunn who was able to spin and put the ball inside the near post.

During the first half the visitors had not managed one serious effort on the Villa goal, thanks to the home sides non stop attacking. They came close again on thirty five minutes, Liam Conway broke down the right, his dangerous cross was headed just wide by Sam Shone. With four minutes of the half remaining Matthew Atherton twice came close. He was played through with a good ball from midfield, only for the keeper to scramble the ball out of play for a corner. From the corner he was unlucky to see his header flash just wide. The home side could be very pleased with their first half display as they were good value for their two goal lead.

Villa started the second half as they finished the first, and thought they had the points wrapped up after fifty minutes when Elliot Dunn burst into the Turton box, forcing the keeper to bring him down. The Turton keeper redeemed himself as he pulled off an excellent save to keep out Craig Chambers spot kick. Five minutes later Villa did have the ball in the net, but Sam Shone was ruled offside from Elliot Dunn's through ball.

On the hour the pattern of the game started to change, Turton upped their game as Euxton started to tire following their first half excursions on an increasingly heavy pitch. For the first time in the match the Villa defence was put under pressure. Turton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area which Shaun Gibbs saved, he then saved the follow up, turning the effort away for a corner.

The game was now more even, but Villa still had chances, on seventy minutes John Winstanley attacked down the left, his cross was pushed out to Mick Bradshaw, his rising shot flew just over the bar. Liam Conway also came close with five minutes remaining when his shot was saved at the foot of the post by the keeper. A minute later Shaun Gibbs produced the save of the game diving to his right to tip over a well struck shot.

There were now chances at both ends, and in the closing minutes Rob McGonagle was unlucky to see his left foot shot fly wide of the post as he cut in from the right. A good game with Villa deserving the three points for their all out attacking play particularly in the first half.

Team - Gibbs, C.Chambers, Crombie, O'Loughlin, Winstanley, L.Conway,
E.Dunn,( McGonagle) Bradshaw, Atherton, M.Conway, Shone, ( McGladrigan ) Not used - J Salisbury