8th April 2006

 

Norcross & Warbreck  (1)  1   Euxton Villa  (0)   0

 

Villa's league title hopes finally ended on a windswept pitch which made for very difficult playing conditions.

The home side started well and adapted to the conditions quicker than Villa, they were soon forcing early corners as the visitors were pegged back. On eleven minutes Norcross came close, heading just over from a corner. The home side continued to press and came close again on fifteen minutes, with a shot which flashed just wide of the Villa goal.

 

As the half progressed Villa started to get into the game. On 25 minutes good work on the left by Damien Stewart set up Sam Shone but his shot was saved. A minute later Villa won a corner, the kick was played short by Damien Stewart to Craig Chambers, his cross was headed towards goal by David Heald, the effort was saved and James O'Loughlin following up shot wide. At this point the game was more evenly balanced with both sides pressing but very few actual attempts on goal. Norcross did come close on the Half hour when their number eleven forced Terry Dalloway into a fine diving save. Five minutes later the home side took the lead when they were correctly awarded a penalty for a trip in the box. Villa tried to respond but the home side got through to half-time without to many problems.

 

Villa started the second half in very determined mood forcing the play from the restart, on 48 minutes James O'Loughlin saw his shot from the left hit the side netting. Three minutes later a villa corner was headed just over the bar by Ross Dickinson. With 65 minutes played Villa were awarded a free kick just outside the box, from the kick Sam Shone saw his effort again saved by the Norcross keeper. The home side rallied briefly and forced a number of corners which the Villa defence easily dealt with. Villa went back on the offensive and good work on the right by Liam Conway set up Ryan Lilley, his effort was saved, and Sam Shone following up put his shot just over the bar.

 

This was not going to be Villa's day, they controlled the second half to the extent that Terry Dalloway did not have to make a single save during that period, but they could not find a way through. During the last fifteen minutes the game petered out as the visitors became more frustrated. This was in essence a game of very few chances, Norcross took theirs and with it the three points. Villa must now console themselves with trying to take the runners up spot, but this should not detract from what has been an outstanding season with many highlights along the way.

 

Team    -   Dalloway, C. Chambers, Dickinson, Crombie, Dowling, ( L.Conway ) O'Loughlin, Lilley, Bradshaw, ( Winstanley ) Heald, Stewart, ( Clarkson ) Shone.