They say it’s often the sign of a good side when you go away from home, don’t play particularly well, but come away with all three points. If that is so then this could indeed be a case in point. Conditions weren’t ideal. Although it was a beautiful afternoon it was a bit warm for football, the wind was treacherous, and the links like pitch was hard as a patio. Villa looked more nervous than in any of their other matches so far this season, perhaps because for the first time they didn’t start as underdogs. Newly promoted Rovers too seemed a bit edgy, perhaps believing that home fixtures against teams from last seasons bottom quarter offer, on paper at least, their best chance to accumulate points.

 

The first real chance fell to the home side when a dinked cross just failed to be converted at the back post. Minutes later it was Villa’s turn. Andy Farley hefted a delicate lob into the path of Alf Gutteridge, but a vigilant defender nicked it off his toe as he was about to pull the trigger. Mark Swift saw a speculative shot drift harmlessly wide, shortly before Villa were nearly undone on the breakaway. Rovers found themselves three against one as they swept up field, and Justin Johnston had to beat away a ferocious shot. From the rebound, a quick return ball was met at the far post, but the header only rattled the upright.

 

Ten minutes before the interval, Tom Cahill worked a clever one-two with Gutteridge, and his shot so nearly found its mark. Very soon after, the visitors carved out a well-worked opener. Swift feigned to take a free kick but ran over the ball, leaving Farley to float an inch perfect cross onto the head of David Heald. The keeper could only palm away his well placed header, and Cahill stole in to net the rebound.

 

The second half was a dour affair, with little of note from either side. Cahill had a storming solo run just after the hour mark, and only a ‘professional’ foul halted his progress. Fifteen minutes before the end Rovers enjoyed their best spell and forced a series of corners, but Johnston was not seriously tested. Substitutes Stewart and Briggs between them nearly put the issue beyond doubt inside the last ten minutes, but having worked the opening with an intricate passing move, the finish was lacking.

A poor game then, but three more points in the bag for the Euxton side. A battling team performance, but special mention for Andy Farley who has been an outstanding success in every match, and also to Tom Cahill who’s willingness to work and work and keep coming back for more allows Mark McDonnell to employ a tactical plan which might not otherwise be possible.

 

 

Villa Line-up: Johnston, Farley, Crombie, Bolton, Pennington, Gutteridge (Leigh 86), Heald, Loughlin, Swift, Salisbury (Stewart 80), Cahill (Briggs 80)