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Rovers always looked the more likely to come out on top as
they seemed to have a couple of more gears available than
their opponents. Also, they employed a tactic so cunning in
it’s execution that it had the visitors confused for long
periods, in that when they had the ball they generally
passed it to someone else in a red shirt. In the spirit of
true sportsmanship, the Villa players for the most part did
the same. But although the Blackpool outfit carried the
greater threat going forward, the visitors made it an easy
afternoon for them with some static and naïve defending from
some of their more experienced stalwarts.
A combination of suspensions carried over from the end of
last season which kick in on the first of September,
injuries and work commitments may have seen Villa travel
without six regulars, at least four of whom would probably
have started if available. But those who were selected would
also consider themselves ‘first teamers’ and one would have
hoped that they would have been able to give a better
account of themselves than they did on the day.
Two goals from Pete Tabenar and one from Steve Creelman
secured the points, and a couple of decent saves by Shaun
Gibbs kept it semi respectable. At the other end Yeomans had
only one direct shot on target to deal with all afternoon,
and fully an hour and more had elapsed before that occurred.
As for positive moves from a Villa perspective ? Well I’m
afraid the note book contained nothing worth the column
inches, though Rhenden Pillay and Ryan Lilley at least kept
going with better body language then some. Overall one can
only add, ‘must do better!’
Villa Line-up: Shaun Gibbs, Craig Chambers (Paul Kirkby65),
Darren Davies, Lee Chambers, Sam Bolton (Ross Dickinson 70)
Matt Conway, Elliot Dunn (Ian Kirkpatrick 70) Matt Atherton,
Gavin Cooper, Ryan Lilley, Rhenden Pillay.
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