Euxton Villa V Ribbleton Juniors       11am K.O.       22nd October 2006

Southlands greeted the team, & parents alike, with a nip in the air just to remind them of what’s around the corner. As long as Villa’s start was to be as crisp no one cared. Villa gathered in search of their first points this season. Tom M wore the captain’s arm band.

1^st Half

Villa started the brighter of the two teams with good strong tackling from the midfield. Villa set out their stall on 7mins when Sam crossed to Greg and the first shot skimmed the post & again on 8mins when Liam popped the ball just wide from a Jamie G pass. Villa won the first corner shortly after on 10mins. On the 12^th min Sam made another surging run down the left and crossed, low and across the face of the goal, to a waiting Liam Potter who needed no help to slam the ball in the back of the net.1-0

Jamie stepped up to the left to take the second corner of the game. Great corner, great finish ….who? Liam again (leave those boots dirty for next week!).2-0.17mins.

Whilst the Villa dominated down the left it was from the right that the goals were being taken. Ribbleton won their first corner on 18mins and there was a bit of heart in mouth as the shot ran across the face of the goal, lucky for us no one followed up.

Ryan & Greg came off on 20mins to be replaced by Max & Smithy.

Ribbleton seemed to find some legs and they had a golden 5mins(for them) putting Rob, Tom G & Danny under a bit of pressure. Good cover & great tackling took the sting out of the attack and Villa piled on the pressure when Tom M ran out a great ball. Smithy followed the ball in from Sam’s long throw putting the defenders under pressure, this created some confusion and Ribbleton scored an own goal on 26mins.3-0.Ribbleton made straight for the Villa net after the kick off. Good vision & great clearing kicks from Will sent the ball into the path of either Rob or Jamie to build yet another attack. A knock on from Smithy sent the ball forward and Sam ran on to score a great goal on 27mins.4-0

Villa had two corners form the left on 30 & 31mins, when the whistle blew for time.

Half Time

The management praised the boys and asked for more of the same. Whilst they warned of complacency they applauded the passing, tackling and “grit” shown by the Villa. Ribbleton can be a handful when allowed to be. Kyle replaced Rob as the team ran back out.

2^nd Half

Villa listened well and it was only 1min in when Sam slid onto a pass from Max and put it just wide and only 2min in when Tom M made a strong challenge to get in a shot that just passed the right hand upright. Ribbleton rallied and but for play being halted to treat one of their injured players could well have had a first on 4mins. From the drop ball solid tackling from Danny & Tom G gave Kyle time to clear the ball. Greg came back on to replace Sam on 5mins.Ryan M came back on to replace a hard working Jamie on 8mins.

Villa pushed on and a great layoff from Smithy gave Jamie G time to line one up, and did he. Great shot on 9mins.5-0

Villa were caught napping when, straight from the off, they passed well and the resultant shot beat Will only 25 secs from the re-start. 5-1(Ribbleton had shown they could do this twice before).

It was 12mins in when Villa won their first corner of the half. Jamie G delivered well and after a bit of a scramble Smithy stepped up to slot one home.6-1.

Ribbleton were more in the game for the next 10mins and Villa had to be on their toes. To be fair to they never let their heads down and whilst the Villa passing was probably a little better in the second half most of the play was down the middle and they didn’t look as if they were going to score again until Greg won the ball in the area and banged one in the bottom corner like only he can. 7-1. 24mins.

Some good runs from Ryan M down the right wing were probably the highlights of the last 6mins and it was during one of them when the whistle blew to end the game.

Full time

This was the score line that was needed to remind the Villa that when they play, they can really play. Ribbleton are not an easy team but today they were handled well in all areas. Well done Villa. Penwortham next, play like the last two games, battle & pass as only you can and you will win. Come on!

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