Matches against Fulwood are always keenly anticipated by the Villa faithful, as they are usually close and entertaining affairs (apologies if I am repeating myself here!), and indeed this encounter was no exception, though understandably it lacked the intensity of the recent ‘Shield’ quarter final between the two.  On a cold and crisp December afternoon, Fulwood once again presented an outstanding playing surface, and both sides responded with a fine display of the passing game, punctuated by two very well taken goals, which sent both away with a worthy point.

Fulwood were  first to hit their stride, and having grabbed the initiative went on to control the first half. No doubt there would be a degree of disappointment in the home dressing room at half time that they were not able to put more daylight between themselves and their opponents, reflecting the territorial advantage they enjoyed.  Nevertheless, the one goal they did grab was a peach. A pacy attack down their right produced a low cross, whipped in to the near post, where Kyle Armstrong, having reacted quickest, met it at full tilt and squeezed the ball in past Baxter’s left hand.  

Perhaps a little fortunate to find themselves just the one behind, Villa began the second half with more purpose, no doubt having had their ears warmed by a few well chosen words from Mark McDonnell in the interim. The half was little more than five minutes old before they were back on terms, with a quality goal on the end of a sweeping back to front move. Matt Atherton was the instigator, picking the ball up just inside his own half, he beat two with a clever pirouette and drag-back, and driving diagonally into his opponents half, fed the willing Phil Woodman. He in turn drove for the corner before delivering a measured cross, to where George Craddock had taken up perfect position to soar majestically and head his side level. 

 Villa went on to boss the second half, and Craddock looked to have fired his side ahead shortly after his first, but this time was judged to be off-side. Damian Stewart nearly found joy with a powerful shot on the turn just seconds later, and Craddock again went close on the end of a well-flighted free kick.

 Mark McDonnell made early use of all three substitutes, no doubt with half an eye on this coming Thursday’ big semi-final, but the changes failed to disrupt Villa’s rhythm, and more and more it looked like the points were there for the taking. Substitute Martin Whewell, making his senior debut, immediately got into the action, and combined down the right with Danny Walker and Woodman to create an opening for Aidie Briggs, but his shot was inches over. Minutes later, Whewell again started a move which enabled Woodman lay the ball into Atherton’s path, but the latter was blocked off in his attempt to meet the pass.

If the home side failed to make the most of their first half superiority, then the same was true of the visitors in the second.  Towards the end, Fulwood regained their composure, and the match could easily have swung either way in the last ten minutes. 

Then suddenly,with the game entering stoppage time, a Fulwood attack saw the ball driven at point blank range into the midriff of Matt Conway inside the Villa box. Much to everyone’s consternation, the ref pointed to the spot! If the travelling fans were amazed at the award, the same can hardly be said regarding the outstanding save produced by Ross Baxter, as he does it so often that there is a danger we are beginning to take it for granted.

Anyway, justice was done, and a share of the spoils was probably about right on the day. Villa now look forward to their massive match against Freckleton in the Amateur Shield semi this Thursday at Bamber Bridge’s Irongate ground. Well worth making the effort to go along.

Villa line-up : Baxter, Walker, Dickenson, Bolton, Bromham, Woodman, Whittaker (M.Conway 66), Bingham (Whewell 70), Atherton,Stewart, Craddock (Briggs 68)