Southlands was sunny, mild & with a slight wind across the pitch …odd!. The going was soft.
Some parents tried to predict the scoring, some tried betting, one, John A, got it spot on.
Kick off followed a respectful silence to mark Remembrance Sunday

1st Half
A good start by Villa with a couple of shots going astray but more importantly the game was being played in the Croston half with the back four pushing up and supporting Tom M & Jamie G, they were all going out to attack the ball not waiting for it to come to them, much improved. It was with delight that after a couple of corners to us on 7mins that Tom M shot & scored on 10mins.1-0
The game was ebb & flo for the next 10mins with both sides playing well but the better football being played by Villa, shots threatened but never delivered. On 20mins Croston cleared a well taken corner off the line.
On 22mins a clear hand ball wasn’t given but Villa carried on piling on the pressure. Croston got a corner on 24mins and threatened but Ryan M dealt with it well.
Some fantastic play between Danny & Sam interchanging on the left meant that Croston were always open and this allowed Greg, Jamie & Tom M to exploit the spaces left. It was a deserved goal that Greg scored on 26mins. 2-0.
On the odd occasion that Croston pushed forward it was always cut out by a fast paced Jamie A or Sam while Tom G & Alex stood firm and dealt with anything down the middle. Danny’s new role paid dividends when after another push down the left, it was passed back to him to launch a right footer for his first of the season on 30mins. 3-0.
The first half saw the end of a brilliant display of football from the Villa.

Half Time 3-0
A big well done from the management who could ask for nothing more and told the boys it would stay as is for another 5mins then there would be a change around, just go out and do not let Croston back into the game.

2nd Half
And my word they didn’t. If it was possible then they actually played better football. Charlie & Smithy passing inside the Croston defence to open them up. Sam & Danny pushing forward to allow Greg to do what he does best in the area, and on 4mins he did it again to effectively kill off Croston’s remaining spirit. 4-0.
And it was Greg again 2mins later to secure his hat trick.5-0
Danny came off and Kyle came on. Jamie A now on the left wing.
Then with probably only his second touch of the ball Kyle lobbed the ball, mouths fell open as it dipped and bounced on top of the bar.
Smithy was fouled just outside the area and took a bad knock on 11mins and Will came to replace him. It was Tom M who stepped up and scored from the free kick.6-0.
Croston should commend their keeper who , especially in the 18th min, saved them from2 or 3 certain goals with brave and safe hands. It was Will’s knee’s turn on 20mins when he scored the 7th goal. 7-0
Tom M slammed in his 3rd, his hat trick and Villa’s 8th on 21mins. 8-0
Danny came back on for Tom G and Jamie A made way for Steven Fell to give the team a change around. Danny allowed Sam to moved ever further forward in turn allowing Jamie G to partner Greg, which led to the ball being crossed to Charlie who had his effort disallowed on 28mins. It was 1min later when he did though. 9-0.
Will & Ryan M swapped places. Jamie G hit the net 10-0. Danny, after a great run forward, was brought down in the area on 32mins. He earned it and took it, and took it very well . 11-0

Full Time 11-0
Fantastic, everyone, everything. That poor performance versus Bamber should be well & truly buried now. Remember this one boys. Quick mention for the ref who, after a shaky start, stood firm against the shouting, well done. Referees could be helped with a bit better pitch marking.