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Euxton Villa v Ladybridge 6.15pm
K.O. 14th Sept 2006
A wonderful autumn evening greeted the players & supporters
at Southlands. This, like Sunday, was a meeting of two
unbeaten records and the form book was suggesting it would
also decide who would top the qualifying table. The sun was
about to set on one of those records.
1st Half
Hearts were uplifted as the Villa surged forward from the
kick off with Smithy & Sam winning the 1st corner
of the half after just 1 minute. The resultant clearance by
Ladybridge signalled what was about to come as they passed
the ball through the middle of the park to great effect
filling the Villa goal mouth only to shoot over the bar.
Ladybridge then camped in the Villa half winning a series of
6 corners after just 3 minutes. The Villa’s efforts seemed
rushed and panicked as they lashed out in an attempt to
clear the pressure, sadly, poor passing and poor challenging
allowed Ladybridge to dominate the game from the centre
circle.
It was probably inevitable when Ladybridge secured the lead
on 7mins.0-1
>From the restart Tom M , Danny & Rob found themselves under
pressure yet again, when the ball did break Villa had great
difficulty in reading the game as Ladybridge got in front of
the midfield time and time again. Villa’s first real break
didn’t come until 16mins when a well won ball by Jamie G
found Smithy who passed to Sam who in turn found Greg, Greg
carried the ball into the area but couldn’t find the net as
the Ladybridge keeper closed him down.
Ladybridge resumed the pressure winning a corner on 18mins,
sadly this bounced badly in the area and off a Villa player
for an own goal.0-2
Will made the safe of the match on 22mins parrying a strong
shot down to his left allowing Rob to clear off the line. On
26mins Villa conceded another 0-3, the half time whistle
couldn’t come soon enough.
On 27 mins Sam & Smithy came off and Max & Jamie went on.
It has to be said at this point that probably one player
alone had kept this score down and that accolade goes to
Alex, great tackles, healthy passing to clear and good
vision. Well done Alex.
At last the whistle blew.
Half Time
It’s no surprise that the management were disappointed not
at the effort, but at the determination. The Villa just
didn’t seem to want the ball enough and were waiting for the
ball to come to them far too much. Ladybridge were giving
them a demonstration in tight marking and “fighting” for the
ball to gain possession. After being “re aligned” they took
to the field of play, hopefully with more grit.
2nd Half
Whatever Jamie had to drink needs to be shared round,
straight from the off he set off down the right on a great
run, cut back in and won a penalty on 35secs. Arms went up
around the Villa to claim the position of penalty taker.
Greg was chosen and with great calm planted the ball to the
keeper’s right. 1-3. Light at the end of the tunnel.
This had a definite effect on the opposition’s spirit and
for the next 5 mins Villa played as if they were 2 goals up.
Ladybridge secured the first corner of the half after 4mins.
Villa took a hold on the game and through the middle Liam
passed to Jamie G who shot and an unsighted keeper fumbled
the ball as it drop behind him to secure a whole sunrise at
the end of the tunnel. 2-3.
Ladybridge, rocked & reeled but then showed why they have
won every game as they steeled themselves in the middle of
the park and push forward to score their 4th
.Will made another great save, sadly this fell to the feet
of a forward and Ladybridge scored as 2 Villa players & 1 of
their won lay injured on the field. Credit to them for
playing to the whistle and taking the chance. 2-4. Rob came
off injured and Tom G took to the pitch. This took the wind
out of Villa and whilst they fought better for the ball then
in the first half, tired legs and deflated spirit meant that
Villa had lettle effect on the Ladybridge midfield.
Ryan came off after 19mins to bring fresh legged Smithy back
in to the game and at this point Ladybridge really sealed
the game scoring their 5th. 2-5.
Sam came back on for Liam on 20mins.Ladybridge took another
well deserved goal on 25mins. 2-6. The final whistle put the
Villa out of their misery.
Full Time
The effort was there but the thinking & determination was
lacking. The team had come up against strong & skilful
opposition and had a bit of a learning tonight. Still, what
doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and some practice
Thursday night will no doubt centre around set plays like
goal kicks and throw ins and “getting in front” of the
opposition. Great effort but not so great application. Roll
on Sunday, take the learnings from this game to Eccleston.
PS Look on the bright side …it’s thundering & lightening
down here in London at 00.44 hrs!!
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