Having dropped their only points of the season so far in the home defeat to Gillibrand the Blacks were looking for some revenge in this fixture. The pitch was declared fit (presumably by a duck) despite one half having standing water on it and it was clear that Euxtons passing game would be curtailed by it.
 
Inside the first minute Euxton took the lead when Dylan and Dan passed the ball well between them to set up Jack H inside the box where he finished well. This momentum was maintained throughout the first period and Gillibrand struggled to get the ball out of their half. Euxton played some great football considering the mud and created a number of chances that they couldn't quite finish.  Then on 15 minutes they won a corner and Jack H swung in a great ball that curled into the goal without a touch, despite a great effort by Dylan to head it home. There was still time for Dyaln to hit the bar and Dan the post before half time. 2-0 up was the least they deserved with Gillibrand not having a shot on goal. Ben and Luke had kept things simple in defence and Daniel , Jack H and Dylan causing all sorts of problems to the home defence.
 
At half time the Blacks were reminded that they were defending the "somme" end and so clearing the ball would be difficult. Matthew replaced Jack D who had worked hard . The second half was more even with Gillibrand working very hard to put the Euxton defence under pressure. There were one or two scares but Aarbaaz never made a save. Unlike the home game the Blacks held their nerve and withstood the pressure. Dyan and Jack H worked really hard in midfield and Daniel was fantastic on the wide right position. Three times he skimmed through the Gillibrand defence only to be denied by fantastic saves by the Gillibrand keeper who was outstanding in the second half. He made 4 fantastic saves and ket his team within touching distance. Gillibrand threw everything at Euxton as the game wore on but the Blacks were resiliant despite a couple of goal mouth scrambles.
 
Credit must go to both sides on playing so well in such conditions . The Gillibrand keeper and defender (No 4) were stalwarts for their team and kept Euxton out. Despite this over the course of the whole match Euxton were the stronger side and more than deserved the victory.
 
All of the Euxton side deserve credit but Dylan and Jack  H who passed and tackled well in midfield were pipped to the man of the match award by Daniel who had an outstanding game with his pace and dribbling.
 
Over half way in the league now - top position and our only defeat so far avenged. Long way to go and lots of hard work to do but the signs are looking good. Thanks to a number of the Oranges who came along to cheer the other half of the squad along despite the rain