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Euxton Villa 0 Eagley 2
Villa laid siege to the Eagley goal for the
last half hour, but their perennial inability to defend at set
pieces saw the visitors hijack all three points, without
having to take the trouble of asking Justin Johnston in goal
many questions from open play.
That said, Eagley are have always been one
of the better sides to watch, with considerable physical
strength to complement their undoubted ability, which belies
their mid table standing of last season, and indeed this.
The first half, however, was a dour affair.
Neither side could establish any true pattern, and Villa in
particular offered little to trouble the visiting defenders.
Justin Johnston did have one super save, diving full length
low to his right to turn round what was probably Eagley’s only
shot on target. Regrettably, it was to no avail. Ten minutes
before the interval, a free kick forty yards out was delivered
with pinpoint accuracy, inviting Neil Matthews to execute a
text book header, albeit with plenty of space in which to do
so, giving Johnston no chance, and inducing sentiments of
‘here we go again!’
The second half promised better things.
Both sides had early chances, but with just five minutes gone,
Villa proved that it’s not just corners from their left
that they can’t defend, and Matthews was able to head his side
two up with consummate ease.
Ryan Lilley was introduced, and his pace
and trickery immediately posed the visitors new problems. For
the first time Villa were able to exert sustained pressure,
with Andy Farley and Sam Bolton driving on and helping create
wave after wave of attack. There was little or no end product
however, save for a close range effort from Neil Bretherton
which screwed just wide and a Lilley shot which flew over in
the dying minutes, and James Raynor had an easy afternoon in
the Eagley net.
Undoubtedly Villa played better than in
some of their recent outings, but the home mood was matched by
the gathering gloom, as it became obvious that defensive
shortcomings at set plays were once again to prove their
undoing. To echo the post match comments of a beleaguered
Steve McLaren, if you can’t get basic defending right, you’re
going to find it hard to win matches.
Villa Line-up: Johnston,
L.Chambers, Davies, Bolton, Farley, Heald, Loughlin, Bingham,
Marquis, Curwen (Lilley61), Bretherton
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