| |
A long drive, longer
for some, brought the team to best facilities enjoyed to
date and a most hospitable opposing team support. The pitch
looked in first class condition and the weather was perfect
despite a strong wind blowing the length of the pitch. With
the wind at their backs the Villa started the game.
1st Half
A lively start by the Villa had Celtic on the back foot for
the first couple of minutes as Villa won two corners in
quick succession. It was only Celtic’s second chance of the
game but they put it away well on 6mins.1-0.
The back four of Danny, Tom G, Kyle & Sam had held well.
Some good battles started to arise in the middle of the
park, clean but strong, the midfield of Jamie G & Charlie
scrapped against an organised side. They spread the play
well to Jamie A & Will on the wings, that is when the Celtic
gave them time to do so, which wasn’t often. The Villa had a
few chances where the wind helped the ball along, in some
instances a yard too far for the boys up front to seize
upon. Smithy & Greg doing well to keep in the game. After
10mins of balanced play with Celtic having slightly the
better chances Ryan came up with a trademark great save to
deny them a second on 20mins. Greg had taken a knock on
21mins and came off with Steven taking to the pitch. It was
interesting that given the nature of the game that Celtic
secured their first corner of the half on 28mins.The whistle
blew dead on 30mins.
Half Time 1-0
The management praised the boys for the effort but chastised
the team & warned of poor attitude being shown towards each
other. They reminded the team that Barrowford were the
opponents and that at 1-0 they were “well in the game”.
2nd Half
This started off exactly as the first had ended. Balanced,
tough but fair.
Celtic struck first on 10mins. 2-0.
This dark period for the Villa saw their heads down and
their pace deaden and as with many class sides Celtic made
sure they would capitalise on the mood in the Villa team and
pushed on, 14mins saw the 3rd goal. 3-0. No one was to blame
but the team. The only brief respite came when the Villa
pushed on to win a corner on 15mins.
Greg had run off his early injury and Steven came off on
18mins.
Everyone seemed to be quickening their step but the Celtic
delivered the final blow on 20mins with another well taken
goal. 4-0.
Strangely, now 4 goals down the Villa rallied and a few
chances went begging. Celtic had to all intents pulled the
shutter down though and the game ended on 30mins.
Full Time 4-0.
The management reminded the team the their opponents today
had scored in excess of 200 goals last season so they had
done well. This was by no means a disgrace and with so many
changes in the side, the boys & the management could take
many learnings from the day. They reminded the team though,
that heads should not go down and that squabbling should not
be part of the Villa game, a team that wins together should
lose together with the same good grace. Onto next Sunday, a
six pointer as they say on MOTD.
|
|
