Richardson Cup Quarter Final

With just quarter of this cup tie played, Danial Hogg had already bagged himself a superb hat-trick which was enough to usher his side safely through to the Semi-Final, and although Lostock scored early in the second half and went on to make a proper fight of it, they were unable to find a way to further penetrate a resolute back line ably marshalled by the evergreen Darren Davies.

Heavy overnight rain failed to clear in time to allow the hard-pressed ground staff to return the main pitch to a satisfactory playable condition, and with the back-up pitch in much better order, it was decided to switch the match there. The wind and rain forecast for the afternoon failed to materialise though, and the game went ahead in near perfect weather conditions.

Villa hit the ground running and were rewarded with a dream start when Hogg opened his account with the first serious attack of the day. Daz Davies broke up a Lostock attack and exchanged passes with Sam Bolton. The latter sent a searching ball down the inside left channel, where Hogg gathered in full stride, showed deceptively good strength to shrug off the close attention of his marker before slotting the ball past a rooted keeper.

Less than ten minutes later, Hogg again broke clear, but this time the keeper did well to foil his intentions, adjusting his position well to save at the near post after the striker feinted to go across goal. Hoggy did not keep us waiting long however, as just a couple of minutes later, he again stood up well under pressure to dink over the advancing custodian after a fine piece of play from Gavin Cooper put him through.

And with the number nine ‘on fire’, the crowd did not have long to wait for the completion of the hat-trick.  David Heald this time was the provider, and with his confidence sky high, Hoggy resisted what must have been a strong temptation to go down when subjected to some despairing attempts to halt his progress, and again gave the keeper no chance.

Villa were well in control at this stage, and Matt Plano went close with a low drive when the ball fell to him from a corner. Gradually the visitors managed to get themselves sorted out, and for fifteen minutes or so, play, whilst somewhat cagy, was much more evenly matched. But a rampant Danial Hogg ensured that the home side ended the half in the ascendancy, having three distinct chances in the closing five minutes. He unfortunately lost his footing at the crucial moment when bursting through again, and moments later was denied a by a fine piece of goalkeeping when it looked odds on he was in for a fourth, and as the half entered stoppage time, he headed narrowly wide on the end of a Ryan Lilley cross.  There was still time before the break for Cooper to try to get in on the act, but a last ditch ‘foot-in’ turned the ball round the post.

Euxton were clearly the dominant force in the first half, but, whilst this was hardly the classic ‘game of two halves’, it was Lostock who were the more progressive for most of the second forty five. Like their opponents in the first period, they were lifted by early success. With virtually the first move of the half, David Bibby did really well to get down to save with a strong wrist at his right hand post. The loose ball, however fell kindly for Waddiker, and the deflection on his instant shot gave Bibby no chance. 

Thus buoyed, the visitors assumed control, and for the next half hour, just about had the edge over their opponents. Bibby was called on a couple of times, and was not found wanting, confidently dealing with anything that looked to carry any real threat.  Things were not entirely one sided, it must be said, and Matt Conway had the keeper watching closely as a powerful shot from thirty yards flew just over. And Hogg’s pace continued to cause consternation, and Sam Bolton nearly capitalised on one occasion, when having latched on to a long pass, Hogg turned provider, but Bolton’s powerful drive across goal was met with an equally strong hand to turn it round the post, good save.

With time running out, it became clear the St Gerrards were not going to make the telling breakthrough, and Plano nearly put paid to any doubt, with a header which narrowly missed the mark. David Bibby had the last word with another fine save low to his right in the final act of the tie, to cap a fine personal performance from him, and a satisfying afternoon’s work from everyone in an orange shirt.

With matches coming thick and fast, injuries continue to plague Mark McDonnell’s plans, and the depth of the squad will be fully examined over the next few weeks. The outstanding Adam McAlister is still sidelined, but Matt Conway has been equally outstanding having stepped into that particular breach. Elliot Dunn’s recovery is slower than hoped, and sadly it appears that David Heald’s season may be over. Ross Baxter’s back trouble continues to cause concern, but, as with the right back position, in Dave Bibby Villa have a very capable replacement. Having progressed to the Semi Final, Villa will have another fixture to fit in, and of course everyone involved will be highly delighted if yet another can be added in this competition.

Villa Line- Up: David Bibby, Matt Conway, Darren Davies, Lee Chambers ,  Sam Bolton, Matt Plano, David Heald, Gavin Cooper, David Warburton (John Salisbury 69) Ryan Lilley, Danial Hogg (Stuart Bingham 77).