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Goldline Trophy Group 3
Wednesday 22 July 09
This opening game in a group that from
the outset looked like a toughie, turned out to be a
somewhat gritty affair, with both sides taking turns at
having periods of ascendancy, but in the end lack of
penetration in the final third meant that neither could find
a way to break through.
The opening half hour or so could be
described as something of a sparring match, as two sides
unfamiliar with each other probed to expose weaknesses and
develop openings. Indeed, it showed that this was only
Villa’s second outing, as it seemed that the players were
uncertain of their role, particularly in a midfield possibly
overloaded with ball players and shy of the ‘holding’
individual, (de rigueur in the modern game it would seem),
due to holidays and injuries rather than tactics one
suspects.
Then, out of the blue Ashton were gifted
a golden opportunity to take a valuable lead, when Ross
Dickinson executed an agricultural tackle on Jamie Campbell
with no real danger imminent, the ref was pointing to the
spot before the victim hit the ground! However, fortunately
for Villa, in electing to take the penalty himself, Campbell
displayed all the aplomb of an England Internationalist and
only succeeded in finding the advertising board to the left
of the goal, sparing Mr D a half time ear bashing no doubt.
Stung by this, the home side enjoyed
their best spell of the match during the remainder of the
half, with Matt Atherton almost snatching the lead when he
rose above everyone to head narrowly over.
The second half continued in much the
same vein, with each having ten minutes or so of superiority
before the other rallied and regained the advantage. Ashton
fired a twenty yard free kick inches over early on, and a
bit of ring rustiness saw Daz Davies allow an opponent to
give him the slip, and really the latter should have made
more of the opening. Villa in turn went close again from
another corner that Rhenden Pillay worked hard to win, with
Dickinson sneaking round to head narrowly wide at the near
post.
Down the other end again, and a punt over
the top caught the defence on the turn, and Shaun Gibbs was
called on to save the day with a fine block with feet.
Almost immediately Villa responded, again from a corner,
this time a well struck volley that unfortunately was always
rising. Just a couple of minutes later, David Heald found
himself clean through, and executed a text book dink over
the keeper, but at he reeled away to celebrate he was
greeted by the sight on the liner’s flag ruling out his
excellent finish. Five minutes from time, yet another corner
and Dickinson once again in the midst of the fray, but
Collins came bravely to nick it off his forehead at the
crucial point.
A tough opener, which in the end, both
sides will have been happy not to lose. Villa looked a bit
rusty, and will possibly be concerned that they did not work
the visiting keeper more, with nearly all their best efforts
coming from set pieces. Not the best of starts then in the
quest to maintain Villa’s one hundred percent record at
progressing from the group, but not the worst either.
Tuesday evening (28th) sees Villa renew their
Goldline rivalry at home to Prestwich Heys, who hit the
ground running with a notable 3 – 0 win against last
season’s runners up Stoneclough.
Villa Line-up: Shaun Gibbs, Craig Chambers, Darren Davies,
Ross Dickinson, Lee Chambers, David Heald (George Craddock
85), Gavin Cooper, Matt Conway (Phil Woodman 65), Elliot
Dunn (Noel Clarkson 85), Matt Atherton, Tom Whittaker (Rhenden
Pillay 60)
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