Dickenson Stoops to Conquer

As local Derbys go, the meeting of Euxton and Charnock is by no means one of the oldest on the calendar, Villa still being relative newcomers at this level, but in the recent past they have been as keenly fought as any, and always deliver value for money for the spectator. Today’s game, in contrast, was a rather tame affair, perhaps reflecting the fact that neither side has much to play for in the league, and/or that the two will soon renew their rivalry when they meet again in a couple of weeks in the Richardson Cup Final (Friday 13^th at LFA HQ, Thurston Road – 7.0pm) and were keeping their powder dry in the pursuit of silverware.

 The match was not helped as a spectacle by a swirling wind that at times approached gale force severity, though its direction was indeterminate enough to ensure that there was never a danger of it becoming the proverbial ‘game of two halves’.  Both teams enjoyed their share of possession, and encouraged by the conditions, were keen to knock the ball around on the deck whenever possible.

Villa grabbed the initiative fairly early on. Damien Stewart and Sam Bolton combined down the left, resulting in a well flighted cross from the latter. Dave Mason rose to meet it, and his blocked knock down bounced kindly to where Tom Whitaker lurked to good effect to give his side the advantage. Perhaps the expression ‘face the ball’ has a different meaning when coached in the USA.

The second half continued where the first left off, with both teams enjoying spells of ascendancy. Then suddenly, a routine free kick floated into the Villa box, seemingly overshooting its intended target, saw Phil Woodman experience a rush of blood, and a penalty kick resulted from his magnificent diving ‘save’. Up stepped James Price, and to be honest you’d normally put your mortgage, or even the cost of a new clubhouse, on his trusty left foot. But Ross Baxter has made a speciality of saving spot kicks recently, and his imposing presence must be tremendously intimidating for his gladiatorial adversary, and indeed save it he did, with an agility unexpected in such a big lad.

It seemed that his efforts were to be in vain however, when a missed header saw the ball arrive at the feet of Roberts with a surprising amount of room and time to pick his spot and restore parity.  But Villa were not to be denied. A series of well delivered corners from Damien Stewart was causing problems for the visitor’s defence, and late on in the game,  Ross Dickenson dived bravely at the near post to head one of these high into the rigging to give the Euxton side a notably victory.

Injury and suspension have forced Mark McDonnell into changes in personnel, which perhaps in some ways has resulted in a more balanced side? Certainly one for him to ponder, but Ross Dickenson has certainly made the most of his recall and will give the boss some selection problems in the weeks ahead.

The league computer (allied to weather driven postponements) pits Villa against Blackpool Wren rovers twice over the Easter week, at home this Saturday, then at theirs on Easter Monday, both 3.0 pm kick-off.