The day started early with an 8am text from Sue to say that Aaron had a temperature and wouldn't be able to make today's game so get well soon from the whole team Aaron  Thanks to Sue for bringing the keeper's kit down to CV with gloves though, that was a big help.

With Liam away we were down to 7 players and it's times like today that we have to be a real team. A big thank you to James who, when asked if he fancied going in goals for a half, did so enthusiastically and with a smile on his face and to Joe who donned the gloves for the second half. Villa lined up with James, Luke, Malachy, Joe, Jack(c), Marshall and Alex up front.

Villa kicked off and were looking dangerous from the start. Joe and Marshall were finding plenty of space on the wings with Al dropping deep and Jack pushing forward to link up play. The boys were full of energy and launched a wave of attacks. Some great build up play involving Marshall, Joe and Jack put Alex through on goal but his shot crashed against the post. Joe was finding plenty of space on the right and was showing some lovely movement, cutting inside to put some great crosses into the Tarleton box which Al and Marshall were close to connecting with but for some brave goalkeeping from the Tarleton keeper. Villa did then go 1-0 in front with a well worked goal started in midfield when Jack won the ball and played it through to Joe who beat his man and crashed a well hit shot that dipped over the keeper giving him no chance. Villa continued to pile forward and were looking for a second when the Tarlton defence broke, caught Villa out of position and a quick ball from midfield put the Tarleton number 4 through on goal. James raced off his line to block the shot then safely gathered the rebound in what was an excellent bit of goalkeeping. In fact, throughout the first half James's kicking was fantastic and he played a big part in Villa's dominance. Villa then controlled the rest of the first half, playing some lovely football with Luke and Malachy looking strong at the back. We keep telling the boys to keep moving and to keep finding space and they did exactly this to create a second goal for Joe. A lovely ball from Al set Joe running into space towards goal, Marshall made a run one way, Al the other, Jack came from midfield but Joe kept on running and cracked another ball towards goal that gave the keeper no chance. 2-0. At the back Mal was reading the ball well and Luke was constantly shouting and talking to Mal and the boys were taking turns at pushing forward to support midfield. Some good work from Marshall on the left saw him play a ball to Joe who had drifted over to the left side of the box. Joe twisted and turned the Tarleton defence before smashing a shot/cross goalwards and there was Jack, breaking from midfield to put the ball in the net from close distance for 3-0. Villa then lost their positions slighty and with too many players going forward, Tarleton broke again with thier number 4 clean through on goal. James made himself look big and stepped off his line but the number 4 finished superbly, powerfully hitting the ball into the right hand corner of the goal. James got down well and was only fingertips away from making the save and Luke nearly got back to make the tackle but it was a great strike for 3-1. Al continued to work so hard up front, chasing and closing down while playing some lovely balls when in possession and Marshall looked dangerous on the ball. Joe then hit the post after another good move but soon after he grabbed his hat-trick after some great work down the right handside before powerfully finishing in the top right hand corner for 4-1. A flowing move started with a ball from defence by Mal again saw a ball played from the left across the face of goal where Joe controlled, stepped inside before looping the ball over the keeper with his left foot. Another great finish for a half time score of Euxton Villa Orange 5 - Tarleton 1

At half time we reminded the boys of the importance of keeping their shape, to hold their positions and to keep creating and using space through movement but it was a big well done from Gary, Steve and myself for a really entertaining first half of football which was so pleasing to watch. Joe took the goalkeeper jersey for the second half and Marshall moved to the right hand side of midfield with James on the left and the seoncd half kicked off.

Villa picked up where they left off and continued to carve out some excellent chances with some great football but credit has to go to the whole Tarleton team whose heads never dropped and they never gave up. The Tarleton number 2 made some fantastic tackles and the whole team worked so hard to close Villa down when in possession. James was making some powerful runs down the left and when getting to the touchline, was looking up to play balls into the box for Al, Marshall and Jack. Some of his crosses were excellent but the impressive Tarleton goalkeeper was there to bravely deny him on each occasion. At the other end, Joe came racing out of his box to make a clearance as they game swung from end to end. Villa then made it 6-1 with another well worked goal. A ball from Mal found Jack who played a lovely ball to Alex. Alex's powerful run saw him hold off a defender before breaking into the box, the keeper came out to make a save and the ball fell to James who touched the ball in front of Marshall who ran in to finish into the bottom right hand corner. Al's running and strength combined with James's deft touch gave us a real team goal. Villa then nearly made it 7-1 with what would have been a fantastic goal. A quick throw from James found Al on the left, just outside the box. Al looked up before playing a lovely, curling ball that was perfectly weighted, deep into the box. Marshall came flying into the box and rose to head the ball powerfully towards goal but he just got underneath it and the ball went inches over the crossbar. Marshall and Jack then linked up brilliantly on the right with a series of one-two passing but again the Tarleton defence held firm and the game ended Euxton Villa Orange 6 - Tarleton 1.

Thanks to all at Tarleton for a great game. It's fantasic to see a team whose heads never go down and continue to work for each other and in the goalkeeper and the number 2 and 4 they have some excellent players. Well done to every Villa player who showed great teamwork today and played some lovely football. Each one of you had a great game and you can all be proud of the way you played. Man of the match today though goes to Joe. Some of Joe's touches, crosses and all round game play was excellent today and it was all topped off with 4 goals, even one on his left foot  . Well done Joe!

See you at training on Monday.