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Turton 1 Euxton Villa 1
On a cold, grey and lifeless February
afternoon, these two teams produced a game, or more
particularly a first half to match, and shared the points in
what will not be remembered as one of the classics. The Villa
side that took to the field had something of a makeshift look
about it, though of recent starters only the influential David
Heald was unavailable for selection.
More dire than dour, the first half
produced little that was worthy of prompting the notebook out
of the pocket. Playing in a four-four-two formation, Villa
never really looked like they would concede, but in turn
offered nothing whatsoever up front, being caught off-side
virtually every time the ball went forward. Turton did get in
behind once ten minutes before the break, and in truth should
have scored, but the chance was blasted over from six yards.
Things did liven up considerably in the
second half, although early signs were ominous for Villa,
being forced into two early changes through injury. Stalwart
Andy Farley was replaced by Neil Bretherton at the interval,
and seven minutes later the luckless Jon Salisbury was
replaced by sixteen year old debutant Matthew Atherton.
Atherton’s introduction illuminated the
afternoon like the throwing of a switch. Suddenly there was a
pace and a spark about the attack, and almost immediately
Bretherton had a good chance to break the deadlock, but
volleyed weakly into the keeper’s arms from close range.
Clear cut chances were still very few in a
game that produced hardly any corners even. (did somebody say
probably just as well?) Atherton himself broke away mid way
through the half, but the keeper did well to thwart his
advance. Down the other end, an uncharacteristic miss-kick
from Justin Johnston allowed a free effort on his goal, but
again the shot was high.
Then with less than fifteen to go, the
breakthrough. Aiden Briggs held off the centre half to win the
ball for Atherton, who took it in his stride and fired a
fierce shot which keeper Bradshaw did well to parry, but he
could do nothing to prevent Atherton netting the rebound on
the follow up.
For ten minutes, Villa held on without
serious threat to their lead, but Turton effected their own
breakthrough five minutes from time, scoring with a fine shot
on the run through the inside left channel.
With virtually the last kick of the game,
Villa could have snatched all three points with a free-kick on
the edge of the box. Time for another Bretherton screamer?
No; ignoring his manager’s bellowed instructions, Sam Bolton
stepped up and blasted the ball high into the descending
darkness.
Although disappointment was the predominant
emotion on the journey home, this time last year we would have
been delighted with a point at Turton, and in truth on the
balance of play the home side had the loin’s share of what few
chances there were. The defence, in the first half at least,
looked more impregnable than of late, and the promise show by
Atherton’s baptism sent the travelling support away buzzing.
Villa Liner-Up: Johnston,
Pennington, Davies, Chambers, Marquis, Salisbury (Atherton
52), Loughlin, Farley (Bretherton 45), Bolton, Briggs
(McFarlane 80) Bingham
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