12th November 2005

Fulwood Amateurs 0  Euxton Villa 2

Injuries and illness caused Mark McDonnell to keep his cards very close to his chest during the run up to this important league fixture, but full marks to both him and coach Roger Leigh for getting the tactics exactly right and setting up an impressive away victory.

The big wide pitch was in exceptional condition given the amount of rain during the week, but nevertheless it was always going to prove energy sapping to both sides. It has to be said that the Villa lads are as fit as any of us can remember seeing, and that has stood them in good stead throughout the season so far. Even in games where the result might not have been what was wanted, Villa have always been able to keep going right to the end and finish the game strongly.

The Visitors carried the game to their hosts from the off, and in just five minutes Tom Whittaker saw a powerful left foot drive go narrowly wide after Paul Loughlin and Ryan Lilley combined to set him up. This really set the scene for the remainder of the match, and instead of jetting back specially for the match, Justin Johnston could easily have spent another few days at his villa (his other Villa), so little had he to do.

More chances came and went. Jon Salisbury, having an outstanding game till injury forced him to give way, nearly pulled off a picture book lob, but just beat the bar as well as the keeper. The ever impressive Andy Farley had a fierce shot just clear the bar, and Tom Whittaker missed with the head from six yards after Salisbury and  Lilley had worked wonders in the corner to put him in. (claimed the sun was in his eyes bless him!)

Shortly before the half hour, Villa grabbed the lead their play warranted. Up for a free kick, Daz Daveis nodded down and the keeper failed to hold under pressure. A scramble of Villa players combined to ensure the ball ended up in the back of the net, Stuart Bingham getting the credit, if only because he shouted the loudest. Definitely one for the ‘seen those disallowed’ category, but to be fair there was no protest from Fulwood.

A bit of a scramble in front of Johnston from a corner right on the half time whistle was the only scare at the other end in a half that, although the Euxton side controlled, never really flowed due to an overabundance of niggling stoppages. And so it continued in the second. An exquisite through ball from Salisbury sent Whittaker away inside a minute, but the latter rushed his shot. As in the first half, a combination of tiring surface and regular stoppages meant that this was never the fluid game that the spectators had hoped for. Villa’s second goal came as the result of one of the very few clear cut chances of the half for either side. But what a cracker it was. Loughlin picked up the ball just inside the Fulwood half, looked up and picked out Whittaker advancing towards the back post, he in turn nodded the ball perfectly into Lilley’s stride for him to secure the points.  

Not a classic for the purists to enjoy, but nevertheless three more very welcome points. Villa stuck to the task and in truth never looked like they would lose this one, with fine individual performances in all departments.

Villa Line-up:  Johnston, Farley, Davies, Bolton, Marquis, Heald, Loughlin, Bingham (Swift 47), Salisbury (C.Chambers 73), Lilley, Whittaker (Briggs 80).