Euxton Villa 3  Wyre Villa 1

Given an early opportunity to redeem themselves after last week’s debacle, the Euxton lads reversed that result with a workman like performance, if not one of their most convincing of the season so far. Although the home side played the better football going forward, they never quite had matters totally under control, and it took a dodgy penalty and an injury time scramble to secure all three points. That said, they did have a perfectly good goal wrongly chalked off and the visitors one goal had more than a touch of ‘the hand of God’ about it.  

Euxton started very positively, and early indications suggested that the combined pace of Tom Whittaker and Ryan Lilley was going to trouble the opposing defence. Whittaker in fact came close inside three minutes with a shot from a John Winstanley cross. Five minutes later an Andy Farley free kick gave the visitors a real scare when it somehow got all the way through to hit the post. Meanwhile down the other end, Justin Johnston was grateful to gather a shot hit straight at him when the defence was carved open with consummate ease.

Euxton took the lead on fifteen minutes with a picture book goal. Lilley stormed down the right at full tilt, and to much encouragement from the home crowd, squared a perfectly timed pass into the path of the charging Tom Whitaker, and without breaking stride he slammed the ball past the helpless Mark Lockyear.

Wyre seemed not to be phased by this, and although the home side looked the more creative in attack, the visitors defended doggedly and always threatened to expose any hesitation in the opposition back line. Whittaker found himself in good position again but his delicate chip was just the wrong side of the bar. David Heald fired wide from close range, though it would not have counted as he was off-side anyway, and the home defence were relieved to see the flag cancel out an unchallenged Wyre header.

The luckless Lee Chambers succumbed to another injury and was replaced by Sam Bolton at half time. Whilst the new line-up was still settling, Wyre won a corner on their right. Now I have been told off for criticising Euxton’s defending of corners, so far be it from me to comment further.  Suffice to say Johnston executed an excellent fingertip save from a close range volley. But when the resultant re-take was fired in it looked as though it had eluded everybody, so at the last moment an attacker despairingly punched the ball into the net, and amazingly a goal was given!

The game now entered a scrappy and physical phase, with both sides believing that they could go on to win. Whittaker and Lilley combined again and looked to have put their side ahead, but it was wrongly ruled out for off-side. Then, with just over ten minutes remaining, Heald powered his way into the box and went down like a giant redwood when robbed at the last second. Harshly for the Wyre defender, the ref pointed to the spot, and Sam Bolton converted with aplomb.

Wyre pushed on in an effort to redress the balance, but Johnston was not really tested. Into stoppage time, Whittaker broke down the left, and ignoring his manager’s entreaties for him to ‘take it to the corner’, squared to Helad who had a couple of digs bravely blocked by Lockyear before the supporting Ian Curwen made the points safe.

Wyre are a strong and determined side, much improved from last season, and will continue to prove a handful no matter the opposition. On the day Euxton were the more adventurous going forward and deserved the win, but there are still too many scary moments than are good for the nerves.

Villa Line-up: Johnston, Winstanley, Davies, L.Chambers (Bolton 45), Marquis, Salisbury, Loughlin (Curwen 62), Heald, Whittaker, Lilley (O’Loughlin 79)