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One of those venues
where you would rather go in August than January, and indeed
the weather Gods were kind to all who made the trip, and
fortunately for the Villa faithful, their side’s disposition
more than reflected the conditions, with a bright and lively
display to which their hosts could find no answer. Six goals
from six different scorers ensured that the result matched
the performance, and gets Villa’s season fully back on track
after an indifferent start.
The
visitors showed intent from the whistle with quick and
incisive passing, and found an end product as early as four
minutes. Keeper Shaun Gibbs started the move with an
intelligent throw to Sam Bolton. He advanced the ball and
gave it to Elliot Dunn, who took it all the way to the bye
line, before looking up and picking out Ryan Lilley, who
gratefully accepted the opportunity to side foot his side
into the lead.
Just
four minutes later, Lilley found himself in a very similar
position, having nipped in behind a turning defence, but
this time his effort came back off the post. The rebound
fell to Gavin Cooper who sent it back with interest, only to
see the ball come crashing back off the same upright.
Villa continued to
control the direction of play, and were able to add to their
lead mid way through the half. David Heald was somewhat
needlessly brought down in a dangerous position. Dead ball
specialist Cooper found the head of Dunn, who headed back
across and on the head of Bolton, who was able to nod home
unopposed.
Turton’s only real
effort came on the half hour when Dunn gave away a free kick
close to the edge of the box. The kick was hit with accuracy
and venom, but Gibbs was alert and turned the shot over the
top.
The visitors made
the interval more relaxing by grabbing a third shortly
before the whistle. Bolton and Dunn again combined well,
with the latter picking out Heald, who, not for the first
time won the aerial battle and nodded down to Cooper who
smashed it home.
The roasting that
was delivered in the home dressing room could be heard in
all corners of the ground, and indeed Turton started the
second half with more purpose. The Euxton side in contrast
started in second gear, and duly received a quick wake-up
call when their opponents had the ball in the net just four
minutes in, though clearly from an off-side position.
Twelve minutes
later, Villa virtually killed off any hopes of a fight back
when Heald almost apologetically scuffed in from six inches
after a Cooper miss-hit landed at his feet.
Gibbs was called
into rare action, diving full length to turn aside a well
struck effort from thirty yards. Back down the other end
Matt Atherton just failed with a controlled strike from
distance, and substitute Adam McAlister lifted one just over
with his first touch. Paul Kirkby was sent on to add his
silky skills, and his first dribble could have resulted in a
penalty when he was clipped, but he chose to continue his
run and picked out Atherton, but the keeper got down well to
block. McAlister again found himself clear, but seemed to be
confused by the unaccustomed time and space, and couldn’t
find the finish.
As the game entered
the last throws, McAlister finally found reward for his
industry, taking advantage of a defensive muddle to slot
home from close range. Atherton, who came to life in the
second half, rounded off a fine afternoon for his side,
scoring the sixth with a low drive through the keeper.
A great afternoon
for everyone in an Orange shirt, but special mention must go
to Matt Conway who is really starting to fulfil the promise
he showed as a youngster before a serious injury halted his
development, his contribution at Turton was outstanding.
Villa line-up: Shaun
Gibbs, Craig Chambers, Darren Davies, Lee Chambers, Sam
Bolton, Elliott Dunn (Adam McAlister 64), Matt Conway, Matt
Atherton, Gavin Cooper (John Salisbury 79), David Heald,
Ryan Lilley (Paul Kirkby 69)
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