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There has never been much between these two
in any of their meetings over recent seasons, but having
finished a very creditable third last time, Freckleton would
have been hoping to hit the ground running and get their
campaign off to a flying start: as indeed were their hosts.
The early sparring showed more than a
trace of nerves on both sides, neither being able to settle
into any kind of rhythm during the first fifteen minutes,
though it was clear that both wanted to engage in a passing
game. Ironic then that the crucial opening goal had more
than a touch of ‘route one’ about it. A free kick twenty
yards from his own goal line was launched by Sam Bolton
over everybody, where George Craddock reacted miles ahead of
anyone else to latch on to the loose ball and easily slip it
past the isolated keeper.
Freckleton continued to try to pass their
way through their opponents’ lines, and enjoyed the greater
share of possession, but in truth there was a paucity of
meaningful chances at either end.
In fact it was fully twenty five minutes
into the second half before either goal was really
threatened, and it was Villa who came closest again when
DamiAn Stewart put Craddock through again, but his snap shot
under pressure came back off the underside of the bar.
However Freckleton were rewarded for their patience when
they finally breached the resolute home defence via a Dwyer
low shot into the corner.
This could easily have seen the visitors
grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but in fact it
heralded Villa’s best spell of the game, and the lead was
re-established within five minutes. A quality corner from
DamiAn Stewart was attacked by a charging Ross Dickenson.
The ball broke back to Stewart who chipped it back to the
near post, where Craddock risked injury to head his side
back in front from close range. Villa went on to finish
strongly, and it looked as though Craddock had completed a
hat-trick in his first full game in orange, but somehow Horn
appeared from nowhere to clear off the line when a third
looked certain
Off to a flying start then, thanks
largely to Craddock’s impressive ratio of goals to chances,
but Freckleton will probably feel aggrieved at not getting
something from the game, but the first goal proved crucial.
Mark McDonnell will take great pleasure in knowing that he
has the depth to call on given his early season mini injury
crisis. (missing from action, Davies, Bingham, Woodman,
Atherton) – and the reserves winning well away at
Barnoldswick reinforces this position.
Short trip to local rivals Coppull
features next (Tuesday 6.30) followed by Atherton Town away
(Thursday 6.30) in the Goldline. Newly promoted Garstang
visit next Saturday, so a real test assured for the
resilience of the squad.
Villa Line-Up:
Baxter, C.Chambers, Dickenson, L.Chambers
(M.Conway 55), Bolton, Loughlin, Bronham, Stewart, Heald
(Briggs 87), Craddock, Whittaker |
