11am K.O. 18th Feb 2007

The sun shone, the wind was light and the clouds weren’t to be seen. Southlands welcomed the visitors and home team alike with unusual temper.
Coming off the back of two very good performances would it be possible? Could Ladybridge’s unbeaten record fall to the bottom team? Tom M wore the captains arm band.

1st Half
As one would expect Ladybridge set off the quicker of the two teams, putting Villa under early pressure. Villa held their own and fought well limiting any chances to a wayward shot on goal that never troubled Ryan. Alex, again, cut off the long ball down the middle and supported Tom G, Liam & Kyle leaving Tom M & Jamie to move further up in midfield. Ladybridge pressed on and showed great vision in particular their number 6,Adam. It was from one of his many passes to the wing that set the score in Ladybridge’s favour with a well taken goal on 12mins.0-1.
Villa looked up for it, their heads held high they did battle again showing the visitors that they to can play the wings as Jamie A & Smithy broke free to support Sam & Greg.1st corner of the game went to Villa on 24mins and didn’t really trouble the Ladybridge keeper. The whistle blew dead on 30mins.

Half Time 0-1
The management were pleased, very pleased. This was the top of the table team who had taken other teams apart and were being made to look ordinary. More of the same was requested especially from the front two in meeting & holding the ball a little more. No changes were made (there was no one to change with anyway).

2nd Half
Grit & determination was the order of the day and within 1min Ryan made a great save at the feet of the attacker. But Ladybridge are not top for nothing and piled on the pressure for the next 60secs, they took another goal that really, had Villa been a little more willing to clear early, they wouldn’t have had.2mins 0-2.
They won a series of corners over the next 5mins as they looked for a 3rd. Villa came back more and more and balanced the game off. George had requested Sam come in a little deeper and this he did to good effect holding the ball up and putting the Ladybridge defence under pressure, more tough tackling and pacey running from Jamie A supported this and it was with a slight degree of shock that the Ladybridge defence started to make a few small errors. Shots from Greg, Jamie G and Sam couldn’t put them back in the game, to be fair Villa were the better of the two teams for the last 10mins, but it’s goals that count. The whistle blew.

Full time 0-2
Ladybridge are now part of the elite group who know that Villa can give the best teams a great game. Nowadays if teams are going to beat the Villa they are going to have to earn it. Brilliant effort today boys, keep it up & those other teams will start to get closer as you rise up the table. Fantastic game boys, very well done.
 

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