So there we were, hanging our heads and ready to head for an early bar, having once again seen our favourites create but fail to convert numerous chances, and finding themselves two down to a goalkeeping error and a dubious penalty, when, wouldn’t you know it, the lads rolled their sleeves up and set about the task of reversing the situation with grit, and indeed flair, which we all know is well within their collective capability, but which we were beginning to fear we were not going to witness this side of Christmas. 

Mark McDonnell felt compelled to rest the less than fully fit Greg Johnstone, but, notwithstanding an excellent run of form by John Salisbury, understandably handed an immediate recall to the excellent Adam McAlister, he having returned from an unnecessarily long holiday in the states. [A note for next time Adam, three days is long enough, preferably Wednesday thru Friday] 

And inside thirty seconds, McAlister was catapulted into action with an almost unbelievable double block on the goal-line, as the visitors almost found joy straight from the kick-off when Ross Baxter collided with a burly striker and left his net temporarily exposed. Villa survived the early shock and went on to have the better of the opening exchanges. Twelve minutes in, Elliot Dunn won the ball well in mid-field, slipped it to the supporting Sam Bolton, who in turn played in Ryan Lilley, but his effort was well saved. A minute later, Lilley and Dunn combined again in a quality move, but the keeper spread himself well to block Dunn’s shot.  Tom Whittaker nearly collected a rare headed goal, having connected with a McAlister cross, but again the keeper was well placed to deny his effort.

Then, with half an hour gone and the home side having the better of things, Vickerstown were awarded a free kick on their left flank. The ball was floated into the box, Baxter came, never got there, and Danny Keenan headed unchallenged into the now empty net.  

Worse was to quickly follow. A coming together in the box was probably correctly interpreted as a foul on a Vickerstown forward. However, the referee, seeing an advantage, allowed play to continue, and the move culminated in a shot on goal, which narrowly missed. However, even though several seconds had elapsed and the move had been completed, the official decided to award a penalty after the ball was dead.  Vickerstown appeared as dumbstruck as their opponents, but it didn’t stop Jordan Dix giving Baxter no chance from the spot.  

 Nevertheless, Villa offered a glimpse of what was to come by finishing the half on the front foot. Dunn controlled beautifully and fired off a snap shot which missed by mere millimetres, and Danial Hogg found himself clean through, but opted for power and blasted over, when a wee dink either side would surely have found the mark. 

Both sides were out early for the second half, keen to get on with it from their different standpoints. But it was Villa who began the brighter. Just six minutes in, Whittaker collected the ball on the right, turned into the box and ‘fell’ victim to a rashly outstretched leg. ( 3.6 degree of difficulty Tom!). A tad harsh perhaps, but technically a penalty, for which the nearby assistant was quick to flag. Bolton’s penalty was not his best ever, but he remained sharp enough to despatch the rebound when the keeper got a strong hand on it. . 

Less than two minutes later, Bolton was once more the hero, heading his side back on terms with a powerful late run from a corner, Lilley finding him well with the dead ball.  And better was to follow. With the momentum now well and truly with Euxton, the outstanding Dunn collected the ball in midfield, looked up and picked out the run of Hogg, who brought down the pass, turned and volleyed in one movement, and was rewarded with the sight if his effort crashing in off the far post for a stunning goal. 

There was still plenty of time for the match to swing either way, but Villa were well on top by this juncture and never really looked like relinquishing their well earned lead. Lilley went close again with a double strike after good work from Whittaker, but a very competent keeper was able to parry twice from close range to deny, and there was to be no further scoring to ice the cake.  

A hard earned and very welcome victory, built on a work ethic from all departments to match the undoubted skill. As mentioned, Dunn, Lilley Heald and Whittaker were the principle architects of the attacking manoeuvres, but special mention must go to Matt Plano who got through enough work for three in yet another virtuoso example of the ‘holding’ midfield role. 

Free scoring Blackpool Wren Rovers come calling on Tuesday (24^th – 6.30) and will provide a stiff early test of Villa’s return to winning ways. 

Line-Up: Ross Baxter, Adam McAlister, Darren Davies, Lee Chambers, Sam Bolton, Matt Plano, Ryan Lilley, David Heald, Elliott Dunn (Mark Swift 81), Tom Whittaker, Danila Hogg (Greg Johnstone 74)