Today was an ideal opportunity for the boys to put last weeks ordeal behind them and get the Central Lancashire Junior Football League Under 11 South Division Stage II up and running. James came in for Connor, Nathan was pushed up for a more attacking role and taking drastic action, in order to hear instructions from the sideline, Matthew had a haircut.

After a delayed start and in front of possibly the biggest crowd of the season Euxton kicked off. The boys, as usual, started brightly with Nathan going close after good work from Jack.  A minute later James was unlucky not to score when a shot thundered against the woodwork. Pirates hit back with Kurt having to clear off the line. Then it was Liam who came close forcing their keeper to make a good save. We were lucky not to go a goal down when a long a ball down the middle was put into the side netting by the Pirate forward. After 15 mins Barney swung in a corner which saw a Kurt header well saved. The defensive clearance fell to Barney, who from 25 yards out knocked it straight back over the keeper’s head and it was 1-0 to Villa. Euxton then began to dominate with James and Mikey combining to force a good save and then a neat flick from Jack put Barney through which was well saved. The resulting corner dropped to Mikey on the edge of the box who hit a shot that seemed to be heading for the top corner only for it to be deflected wide by a Pirate head. Despite having most of the possession Villa went into the break only one up.

A sluggish start to the second half saw the Pirates draw level. A race down the middle was won by a Pirate and his chip just managed to go through Matthews fingertips. 1-1. Fortunately this seemed to wake the boys up. A driving run from Kurt down the left earned a corner which Jack floated in and Brad was there at the near post to make it 2-1. This was closely followed by a neat run from Mikey who could have had a shot but unselfishly did a reverse pass to Nathan who slotted home. 3-1 to Villa. Euxton seemed to grow in confidence with a neat one two between Liam and Sammo winning a corner that the keeper failed to hold on to and Jack was there to tap in 4-1. Two minutes later Nathan picked up a Pirate goal kick and raced through for his second. 5-1 Villa. On 50 minutes Jack breezed past a couple of Pirate defenders and with only the keeper to beat appeared to be brought down from behind but no penalty was given. A minute later with the Pirates defence all at sea the ball fell to Brad on the edge of the box and he knocked it in to make it 6-1. With 5 minutes remaining Nathan completed his hat trick when he chested in a Barney cross.

And that was it 7-1, an emphatic win for the Villa which puts them top of the league.

 A great team performance today. A special mention must go to the back four of Adam, Matthew, Kurt and Sammo who held the line well with the Pirates attack getting caught off side time after time. Well played the Pirates who I’m sure will push us close once they sort out the offside and isn’t it nice to see Buster Bloodvessel looking so well these days.

Man of the Match     Nathan - hat trick hero