17th December 2005

 

Euxton Villa   (0)   0       Poulton Town    (0)  1

 

Villa failed to score for the first time in fifteen games and paid the price as they suffered a surprise home defeat to Poulton Town. All credit to the visitors who weathered a second half Villa barrage before breaking away with five minutes remaining to take the three points.

 

The first twenty minutes were played at a frenetic pace as the visitors sought to stifle Villa's passing game. However the first chance of the match fell to the home side on six minutes when strong running from Anton Martin forced a corner on the right, the ball was played short to Craig Chambers who in turn found John Winstanley, his shot was tipped over the bar by the Poulton keeper. This was Poulton's best spell of the game, and on ten minutes they came close when a determined run from the halfway line by a Poulton defender resulted in a shot inches past the post. Within a minute the visitors came close again as a shot from the right flashed across the Villa six yard box.

 

After twenty minutes Villa started to assert themselves and good work by Anton Martin set up Brad Dowling, whose well hit curling left foot shot was again tipped over the bar by the keeper. Two minutes later Villa won a free kick and Sam Shone saw his effort fly just wide. The home sides pressure was now increasing and on twenty four minutes a good run down the left by Neil Bretherton finished with his shot being saved by the Poulton keeper. On 33 minutes good work by Brad Dowling set up Sam Shone, but his low shot was wide of the post. Five minutes later Villa nearly took the lead when Anton Martin broke into the box only for his shot to narrowly miss the target.

 

Villa increased the pressure from the start of the second half as the visitors tired from their earlier efforts. This resulted in the play being condensed into the visitors half. On 49 minutes John Winstanley delivered a dangerous low ball into the box from the right, Adrian Briggs first time shot was saved, and Anton Martin following up saw his shot turned away for a corner. A minute later a ball into the box was chested down by Adrian Briggs but his shot was again saved, and once again Anton Martin saw his follow up effort turned away for a corner. Villa made changes, Craig Chambers who was having an outstanding game was injured in a 50/50 challenge and replaced by Nick Baker, Liam Conway and Matthew Atherton brought additional pace down the wings, as Villa continued to press for a goal.

 

As the game wore on it looked more and more likely that it was not going to be Villa's day, as effort after effort was either cleared by defenders, or missed the target. Then with 85 minutes played a Poulton breakaway created an opening and a low shot into the bottom corner ensured the visitors the points. Villa rallied and in the closing minutes forced a number of free kicks near the Poulton penalty area, but the visitors defence held firm. Villa can be pleased with their second half performance, and were unlucky not to score. Poulton also worked hard for their win and deserve credit.

 

Team    - Gibbs, C. Chambers, ( Baker ) Dickinson, Crombie, Dowling, Winstanley, Broadbent, Shone, Bretherton, ( Atherton ) Briggs, Martin, ( L. Conway )