15th October 2005

Burnley Utd  2  Euxton Villa 2

Having been comprehensively outplayed and out muscled home and away by  the big, strong Burnley side last season, I guess most Villa followers would have gladly accepted four out of six points in the league this time around. However it is a measure of how far Mark McDonnell has progressed his side that, whilst four soft goals produced a result that was just about right one the day, disappointment at not securing all three points was still the predominant feeling on the drive home.

With Jamie Pennington replacing the injured Andy Farley at right-back, new signing Rob Marquis making his debut at left-back and Lee Chambers completing his rehabilitation after a lengthy injury, only Darren Davies of the back four had played there in recent weeks, and this only his third game since rejoining. Thankfully their individual quality outweighed their lack of practice in playing together and you couldn’t see the join.

A resilient look to the line-up then, but the plan was nearly scuppered with just seven minutes gone, when a momentary lack of concentration at a free kick saw the ball floated into the box where a tame header found Justin Johnston rooted to the spot as the ball floated into the net. For the next half hour both sides battled to gain the ascendancy, but it was all very narrow and the centre backs were easily dealing with the punted balls that both teams favoured. A shot just over from Damien Stewart after a clever turn the only near thing at either end. It took another tame header from a set piece, this time a corner, to enable Villa to restore parity before the interval. Stewart took the chance well however, and it did come at the end of ten minutes of sustained pressure from the visitors. Right on the stroke of half time Villa almost grabbed the lead, but David Heald just failed to connect with Daz Davies downward header from another free kick.

The second half was barely two minutes old when the Euxton side were nearly caught napping in an identical move which cost the first goal, this time Johnston was alert and produced a spectacular two handed save. Then, ten minutes into the half, Villa got their noses in front for the first time, Ian Curwen scoring with a perfectly weighted back header from a Rob Marquis free kick.  Five minutes later Stewart, playing on the last man, beat the off-side with a clever turn and drew a fine save low at the keeper’s right hand post.

Both sides had by now given up their earlier long ball and were trying to play through the middle, but it was all still very narrow and this suited Burnley playmaker Craig Whittaker, who’s involvement was a key factor in the  home side’s equaliser. Coming on the end of a move through the inside right channel, it was the only goal on the day from open play, and the result of one of the day’s few moments of sloppy defending.

Ryan Lilley was introduced up front in an effort to pose the home defence a different set of problems. Almost immediately he found himself clean through on the keeper, but he hadn’t had time to get used to the long grass, and he was unable to dig the ball out from under his feet, and Curwen was crowded out in the follow up and the chance to clinch the points was gone.

A full bloodied encounter, and probably about he right result on the day. Villa now have a series of fascinating home matches on the bounce, starting with a cracking Amateur Shield tie next week against holders Kirkham & Wesham. One not to be missed, so don’t forget the 1:45pm kick off.

Villa Line-up: Johnston, Pennington, Davies, Chambers, Marquis, Bingham, Loughlin, Bolton (Swift 85), Heald, Curwen, Stewart (Lilley 78).