1st October 2005

 

Hesketh Bank (0) 0   Euxton Villa  (2) 4

                                          Whittaker, O'Loughlin, Shone, C. Chambers

 

 

Villa scored four stunning goals to take the points and keep up the pressure at the top of the table. This was not Villa at their best as in the first half they struggled to dominate against very determined opposition and a strong wind.

 

After five minutes the home side won a corner, the ball in was headed just over the Villa bar. On ten minutes Tom Whittaker beat two defenders as he drove into the box, but unfortunately the ball overran and was comfortably collected by the keeper. The majority of play in the first half was concentrated in midfield as both sides tried to overcome the windy conditions. On 18 minutes Hesketh won a free kick just outside the Villa box, the ball was whipped in but luckily missed everyone and went harmlessly out of play, six minutes later Tom Whittaker again caused the home defence problems with a run down the right, he fired in a great cross which Hesketh struggled to defend, but they eventually managed to clear the danger.

 

The game was effectively over in a two minute spell just before half-time, when on 40 minutes Adrian Briggs found Tom Whittaker with a measured pass, he sidestepped a defender before driving in an unstoppable shot which flew into the net giving the home keeper no chance. Two minutes later Tom Whittaker was involved again down the right wing, this time as provider, his pinpoint cross was met by James O'Loughlin who headed powerfully into the net. Up to this point neither keeper had been called on to make a save, but the home side were visibly stunned to concede two goals in quick succession.

 

The second half saw Villa with the advantage of the wind and they utilised it to good effect putting pressure on the home defence. On 55 minutes Adrian Briggs with his back to goal laid off the ball to the incoming James O'Loughlin whose shot flew just over the bar. Two minutes later the Hesketh keeper had to be alert to keep out a shot from Craig Chambers. Villa were now starting to create openings and on the hour Tom Whittaker was unlucky to see his lob shot bounce on top of the bar, five minutes later Sam Shone was fouled on the edge of the area, from the free kick Adrian Briggs forced the keeper into a good save, within a minute Sam Shone dropped over a great through ball which Tom Whittaker just failed to reach.

 

Despite their second half pressure it was beginning to look like Villa would have to settle for their first half goals, but this changed on 70 minutes when Sam Shone picked up the ball about 30 yards out, his strike flew like a rocket into the top corner. On 75 minutes a determined run by Anton Martin in the box set up a chance for Liam Conway who shot just wide, eight minutes later Tom Whittaker came close forcing the home keeper into a good save. Two minutes later Tom Whittaker was fouled on the corner of the box, Sam Shone's free kick produced a second headed goal of the match, this time from skipper Craig Chambers.

 

Once again this game was won from the back, the Villa back four and centre midfielders were so solid that keeper Shaun Gibbs was not called upon to make a save during the match. This allowed the forward players to create openings which eventually produced the goals.

 

Team   -   Gibbs, C.Chambers, Dickinson, L.Chambers, Winstanley, Whittaker, O'Loughlin, ( Baker ) Crombie, Shone Clarkson, ( Conway ) Briggs, ( Martin )