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Dunn

This game was very much two points lost for Villa, as they created enough chances throughout the match to comfortable take the three points.

On a poor surface and with a very strong wind this was never going to be a classic. Freckleton started well, having the early possession they came close with a low shot after two minutes. The visitors hit back putting the home defence under pressure following good work on the right by Elliot Dunn and Sam Shone. Villa were now starting to exert some pressure, firstly seeing a free kick from the right cleared, then following a long throw Elliot Dunn saw his low shot saved by the keeper.

While the home side were working hard to use the first half advantage of the wind it was Villa who were having the better chances. With fourteen minutes played Elliot Dunn broke from centre midfield into the Freckleton box, his low shot beat the keeper hit the inside of the post and came back into play.
Villa forced a number of corners and again came close minutes later when Mick Bradshaw was unlucky to have his shot blocked.

Villa continued to press with Rhenden Pillay's pace causing the home defence problems. Freckleton did have chances, on the half hour Shaun Gibbs saved a header following a cross from the right. He was called into action again three minutes from the break, tipping over a long range shot. The last chance of the half fell to Euxton, Rhenden Pillay played a low ball into the box were Mick Bradshaw again had a shot blocked.

The second half gave Villa the advantage of the wind, they quickly forced a free kick on the edge of the area, Craig Chambers took the kick , but once again the home defence cleared the danger. A minute later Sam Shone broke down the middle but his shot hit the keeper, who in fairness was having an outstanding game.

This pattern of play continued as Villa tried to make the breakthrough. On fifty five minutes Liam Conway played an early ball in from the left, Sam Shone hit the ball first time, only for the keeper to once again save his side. Villa came even closer three minutes later, Rhenden Pillay cut a ball back to Sam Shone whose shot this time skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Just past the hour mark Villa eventually broke the deadlock, a ball into the box was not cleared allowing Elliot Dunn to score with a looping header which found the net via the inside of the post. At this point it looked like Villa were going to grind out a win, they pushed for a second to make the game safe. Elliot Dunn came close shooting over the bar on seventy minutes.

The lead only lasted until eighteen minutes from the end when the Villa defence were confused by the referee allowing a quick free kick when stood over the ball. Freckleton took advantage and bundled the ball home. For the remainder of the game it was back to Villa pressure as the home side seemed happy to settle for a point. With ten minutes remaining Elliot Dunn broke through the middle but once again the keeper blocked his one on one, the visitors continued to press until the end.

On the day the Villa defence and midfield were outstanding, but it was one of those days when the team needed that bit of luck in front of goal which this time sadly eluded them.

Team - Gibbs, C.Chambers, Brown, O'Loughlin, Crombie, Pillay, Kirkpatrick, M.Conway, Bradshaw, ( L.Conway ) Dunn, Shone, ( Parkin ) Not used - Winstanley.