Sunday 17th September

Appley Bridge  1  -  1  Euxton Villa

Players; Matthew Boyle, Mikey Maddison ( c ), Connor Lewis, Liam Curran, Sam Holroyd, Nathan Southern, Adam Hayward, Samuel Fenn, Kieran Horabin, Brendan Goulden.

GoalScorer; Mikey Maddison.

Away to Appley Bridge this week, and after last weeks resounding victory it felt like the team were now really bonding together and with Sunday fixtures coming around thick and fast we were well into the swing of things, even those with hangovers.. and no I don't mean the boys. So we arrived at our away destination and took up camp somewhat precariously along the edge of a grassy river verge, no need for ropes and spikes here, any unruly behaviour and you could have been in for an early bath.

The game kicked off with the usual 100% effort and drive from Euxton that we always start out with, and for at least the first ten minutes we completely dominated the game. We had all the possession, the football was fantastic, passing, creating chances, the only thing missing was a goal, not that we didn't try, but a brave Appley goalie was determined to keep his team in the game. And as the first half continued it became apparent that luck was definitely not on our side today and after some bizarre refereeing it became all too clear just whose side it was on. The chances continued with both Nathan and Adam being unlucky in having their attempts saved or knocked wide of the goal and it seemed only a matter of time that we would get a break, if we kept up the tempo, Appley Bridge were sure to waver and we would get our well deserved first away goal. But all it changed in a split second and after a slight lapse in concentration Appley Bridge had taken control and made a break right down the left hand side of the field we were powerless to stop them and they scored 1-0.

Approaching the end of the first half now and although we were all a little shell shocked at going 1-0 down the lads were hungry, determined to push on, and so they did, creating more chances along the way, everybody playing well, playing as a team and when an almost perfect cross from Sam landed at Adam's feet we had already decided it would be a goal, but we were to be denied yet again, only the keeper failed to clear it properly and it lead to a very controversial challenge on the goalkeeper over a seemingly free ball, the referee gave a foul and the first half ended with raging tempers of both players and spectators.

Cooling off and calming down time was required during half-time and the boys were urged to challenge their frustrations into getting back into the game but the Appley Bridge team were not a forgiving bunch, they were not going to make it easy and it was going to be a long second half if we didn't get a goal.

The frustrations of the team were fuelled by the constant one-sided refereeing and it almost prevented our game to flow, time after time we had great possession but couldn't find the net and then we had to run back and defend as Appley Bridge broke free again, but Matthew was really on the ball today and nothing was getting past him. The minutes ticked by, the action was end to end and then all of a sudden Euxton's efforts were rewarded by a dream shot that came almost out of nowhere by our very own Captain Fantastic, so richly deserved, he single handedly pulled us back into the game and has lead the team by example from day one, we were all so pleased for him. The game ran on to the end in much the same way, tempers heated, decisions questionable, neither team happy to settle with the 1-1 scoreline but it was obvious that nothing was going our way today and we had to be content with a draw.

A mixed bag today, we were definitely the stronger team, we should have easily won but I felt the game was spoilt by incidents and issues along the way, which we are all aware of, and don't need to be mentioned. At times the boys played well but some do have a lot to learn. Anyway we look forward, just found out who we have drawn in the first round of the cup ....Appley Bridge at home!!..... GAME ON !

Man Of The Match; Matthew Boyle.