Euxton Villa 1  Kirkham & Wesham 2

Amateur Shield  (Round 3)

In a tight, entertaining, at times fast and furious third round tie, holders K&W narrowly edged out the less experienced but much improved Euxton side, in a match that never looked like there would be more than one goal in it either way. Had Villa’s seemingly legitimate equaliser just after the half hour been allowed to stand, the outcome might easily have been reversed.

You could tell from the outset that a fine match was in prospect as both teams started in determined mood, with little sign of nerves. Defences had the better of the opening exchanges, with one speculative shot from the visitors the nearest thing to an opening. But with just fifteen minutes gone, David Mansargh powered his way between two defenders to latch on to a through ball, and keeping his cool, sidestepped the advancing Justin Johnston to put his side ahead.

This spurred the home side to even greater endeavour, and Ian Curwen had a powerful header parried away and David Heald headed just over from a Mark Swift free kick. Then, a set piece at the end of a period of Villa pressure saw keeper Whiteside uncharacteristically flapping at the ball with Heald and Curwen in close attendance, resulting in his helping the ball into the net. Despite a noticeable lack of protest from the players or bench, the referee decided to chalk it off for… well for something.

The game ebbed and flowed, but without either goal being seriously threatened. Then, three minutes before the break, Andy Farley fired a low free kick into the box which somehow eluded everybody and found it’s way into the far corner to send the teams in level.

The second half saw no let up in the relentless pace of the game. Farley went close early on with a near perfect lob, and the visitors had a header just wide and a shot which only just cleared the bar.  Villa lost the services of two of their best players on the day when first Farley then later Jamie Pennington succumbed to niggling injuries. However the depth in the squad these days meant that replacements Ryan Lilley and Jon Salisbury in no way weakened the side, and pursuit of victory continued apace.

Both sides had turns of ascendancy, Whittaker’s pace carried an ever increasing threat as defenders tired,  Curwen narrowly went wide and Johnston was called upon with a fine save low to his right. Then, with extra time looming,, K&W suckered the villa defence with a class turn, allowing Mansargh to fire in from close range, a slight deflection ensuring that Johnston had no real chance at his near post.  Mark McDonnell sent Lee chambers into the fray and sent all the ‘big lads’ up front, but there was insufficient time remaining and Kirkham and Wesham held on to progress to the next round.

Back to league business, as both sides meet yet again next week in the last 3 o’clock kick off of this year down at the Villa. If it proves anything like the previous two encounters, then it’s one not to be missed.

Villa Line-up: Johnston, Pennington (Salisbury74), Davies, Bolton, Marquis, Heald, Farley (Lilley 63), Loughlin, Whittaker, Curwen, Swift (Chambers 87).