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A bit of a trip into the unknown for
Villa in this Amateur Shield first round tie, and though it
did seem somewhat unfair having to play West Didsbury and
Chorlton at the same time, nevertheless the pedigree lines
suggested that it should have been a relatively comfortable
afternoon for the visitors. It turned out to be far from it
however, with the Manchester League side pushing their
opponents right up to the wire, and feeling themselves
perhaps a tad unfortunate not to at least take the tie into
extra time, as Villa stumbled and staggered across the
finish line to in a match in which arguably they should have
been out of sight after the first half hour.
The Euxton side got off to exactly the
start they would have wanted. Inside five minutes Neil
Davies crashed a free kick against the crossbar, and Tom
Whittaker was on hand to nod home the rebound unopposed. The
body language of the home coaching staff and indeed players
suggested that they perhaps expected this to open the
floodgates, a feeling which seemed to be reflected in their
opponents attitude, as they visibly dropped down a couple of
gears. Though the Villa cause was not helped by losing the
services of the influential George Craddock with not much
more than ten minutes on the clock, still they dominated
possession and territorial advantage. But the longer the
half dragged on without meaningful penetration, the more the
home team regained confidence, and in one of their few
forays deep into the Villa half, a well flighted cross from
their left was met with an equally well placed header which
looped over the advancing Baxter into the far corner.
With belief now well and truly restored
to the Didsbury side, the game began to ebb and flow in a
much more even fashion, and although Whittaker restored the
advantage with a very cool second, there was clearly going
to be no capitulation on the part of the hosts.
The second half continued in much the
same vein, and it was one of those situations wherein ‘the
next goal will be crucial’. And fortunately for The Villa it
was Ian Kirkpatrick who provided it with a majestic, soaring
header straight out of the top drawer! At three one up, the
tension should have eased, though WD&C were soon back in
touch with a well struck, well placed low drive which gave
Baxter no chance.
Once again time to dig deep, and
fortunately for Villa Tom Whittaker’s return from ‘injury’
found him continuing his outstanding form, and he capped his
man of the match display by completing his hat-trick with a
superb strike from just outside the box. Again the home side
redoubled their efforts, and a late surge found the scorer
of their second powering into the box, and the slightest of
clips was enough to send him sprawling. The resultant spot
kick was despatched with aplomb.
The final whistle came as a huge relief
to the travelling faithful. Villa just squeezed through a
tie that should have presented little concern, largely
thanks to the quality of the aforementioned Whittaker, and
now travel to Manchester league premier side Royton Town in
the next round. Today’s hosts were gracious in defeat, and
were overheard to concede that man for man their opponents
were probably a level above, but commented negatively on the
amount of whining and whinging from certain individuals. Not
my words you understand, but food for thought perhaps?
Villa Line-up: Baxter, C.Chambers,
D.Davies, Dickenson, Bromham (Briggs 76), N.Davies, Loughlin,
Kirkpatrick (Walker 71), Bolton, Craddock (Stewart 11),
Whittaker |
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