Gillibrand Warriors 0 Euxton
Villa 4
The GW Website's pre-match
prediction for this game made reference to the history
between these two sides. Because players from both sides
have played for the other club there was an added buzz to
the game. Certainly that pre-match prediction did wonders as
a team talk in the EV dressing room, not least for
the former Gillibrand players who now wear Euxton colours.
Euxton Villa completely
dominated this game from start to finish despite the
undoubted hard work from the GW side. The fact that Matty in
goal touched the ball 4 times without having a shot to save
in the entire match says it all. Right from the start EV
were first to the ball and Dominic in particular was getting
behind the GW defence on almost every occasion. The GW
goalkeeper made some good saves and at other times we did
not make the most of the possesion we had. As GW struggled
to get the ball out of their half despite the advantage of
the slope, Euxton needed a bit of class to finish off their
good approach work. That came from Josh who on 21 minutes
won the ball inside the box and turned and hit a chipped
shot into the far corner. It was a great finish.
The rest of the half was played
in the GW half with loud cheers from the GW supporters
everytime it crossed the half way line. Gillibrand were
working hard to keep Euxton out but it was clear that
time would tell in the end.
The second half started much the
same as the first with the ball almost permanently in the GW
half. Euxton were playing some good football and creating a
number of chances which the GW goalkeeper saved . We were
just overdoing it at times, passing when a shot might have
been the better option, or putting shots straight at the
keeper. Whilst never looking like conceding, you did begin
to wonder when the second goal would come.
On 51 minutes the constant
pressure told when Dominic beat his man inside the box and
hit a good shot into the far corner. At 2 - 0 any prospect
of a breakway equaliser had gone and we could make the ball
do the work. Joseph laid a fantastic ball into the box for
Connor to get in front of his defender and hit a shot on the
run into the net. It was a great run and a great finish.
Two minutes later he finished
another good move with a finish from close range. 2 goals
was the least he deserved because he had given a superb
display of the art of a centre forward on and off the ball.
Despite the "history" between
these two sides the match was played in a good spirit and
the Gillibrand Manager will be proud of the effort put in by
his team to keep Euxton out . As underdogs they kept on
running without ever looking likely to score themselves.
Euxton played all the football
and handled the pressure of winning a game that they were
expected to well. Most of all they were patient and let
their football do the talking.
It is hard to single out players
because everyone got themselves back on track after last
weeks blip. However I am going to. Lee, starting the match
for the first time in a while, worked tremendously hard in
midfield and won his challenges well. Connor as I mentioned
earlier was superb. Man of the Match went to someone who
stood up strong to handle the personal "pressure" really
well.
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