17th September 2005

 

Euxton Villa  (1)  2   Burnley United  (0) 0

Clarkson

Briggs

 

This was a well contested game played throughout at a very fast pace with both sides committed to attack. For Villa Heath Broadbent made a welcome return to the side following his recent transfer, and new signing Tom Whittaker was on the bench. Burnley started well and after five minutes came close with a shot which flashed just wide, for the next 25 minutes the two sides cancelled each other out and the bulk of the play was in midfield as each team tried to seize the initiative.

 

The deadlock was broken after 30 minutes when Villa were awarded a free kick outside the area, Guy Clarkson took the kick which Burnley defended but the clearance came back to Guy Clarkson who cut into the box and fired in a low shot towards the bottom corner, the Burnley keeper initially seemed to have the shot covered but the ball passed under him and Villa had the lead.

 

The visitors responded immediately and came close with a header which flew over the bar. Villa were now looking for a second goal, and on 35 minutes came close following a Guy Clarkson run down the left wing which finished with him shooting just wide. Three minutes later Liam Conway dropped a ball over the Burnley defence, but Anton Martin just failed to get a touch. A very close first half with Villa just starting to get on top.

 

The second half was only two minutes old when Liam Conway burst into the box only to see his shot saved by the keeper, he came close again on 55 minutes with a low header which was just wide of the post. Burnley were still very much in the game and they came close on the hour with a lob shot which hit the top of the Villa bar. The game was effectively wrapped up on 65 minutes with a goal that will be a contender for goal of the season, Adrian Briggs picked up the ball outside the Burnley box and seemed to have all the time in the world as he looked up before beating the keeper with a right foot shot which flew inside the far post.

 

Villa now started to control the game. Tom Whittaker was causing the Burnley defenders problems with his pace down the right wing. Burnley were still dangerous and on 75 minutes came close to scoring with a low shot which Shaun Gibbs had to turn around the post, from the resulting corner Burnley headed over the bar.

 

Euxton responded with more pressure, a good run and cross from Tom Whittaker saw a Guy Clarkson shot tipped over the bar. Villa were now starting to look comfortable and in injury time had further chances to score as both Guy Clarkson and Adrian Briggs shot over, and Rob Gilmour broke into the box only to see his shot fly just wide. A very good game of football between two well matched sides. Everyone in the Villa team played their part, and once again good defending was the cornerstone to victory, with Ross Dickinson and James O'Loughlin looking very solid in the centre of defence, they were ably supported by Nick Baker and John Winstanley.

 

Team    -    Gibbs, Winstanley, O'Loughlin, Dickinson, Baker, L.Conway, ( Whittaker ) Bradshaw, Broadbent, Clarkson, Shone, ( Gilmour ) Martin, ( Briggs )