When Doctor Who first appeared on our screens back in the Sixties, I quite often watched it round at a mate’s house, where his little brother used to watch from behind the sofa, believing no doubt that it would offer a modicum of protection from the horrors that were sure to unfold. There are a couple of sofas in the clubhouse, and given the early season form of the relative protagonists, I was very tempted to watch tonight’s proceedings from the sanctity thereof.   Oh ye of little faith – following Saturday’s inspired fightback, the lads are endowed with a renewed understanding of their own capabilities, and produced a stunning performance which saw them end the impressive early season run of their table topping opponents in an exciting and entertaining encounter.  

In fact, matches against Wren Rovers are always eagerly anticipated by the Villa faithful. Wren’s belief in their own ability generally means that they concentrate in playing football rather than stopping the opposition, allowing their opponents to do the same, which usually leads to a very watchable game, and in spite of an unseasonable heavy pitch, this clash was no exception. Play was very even throughout the first half, though the visitors were able to edge ahead through an unfortunate penalty incident, but in the second, Villa swept them aside with some of the best counterattacking moves seen since D-day. 

End to end play in the first half saw Wren with the first real chance on the end of a move down their right, but Andy Almond in goal was equal to the stooping header. Immediately from that his distribution sent Danial Hogg away and clear, but the ball got stuck under his feet as he burst into the box and the defence was able to rally to thwart his intentions. Five minutes later, Rovers could have taken the lead when clean through on goal, but a less than convincing scuffed shot was easily dealt with by Almond.  

Then, just on the half hour, a Rovers attack saw Villa with numbers back defending, and during a melee, David Heald slipped, and as he fell his outstretched arm moved the ball from the path of an attacker. Accidental certainly, but the advantage to Villa was such that the ref had little option but to award a penalty, and at least unlike some he applied common sense and kept his cards in his pocket, and in fairness none of the Rovers entourage made a big deal of it either. Cairns despatched the spot kick, though Almond got fingertips to it and nearly pulled off a super save. 

The second half began ominously for Villa, as Mark McDonnell was forced through injury to use up two of his substitute options from the outset, with Greg Johnstone and Adam McAlister giving way to Ryan Lilley and Rick Wood respectively.  

And it was Wood who signalled what might be with a tremendously well controlled volley from thirty five yards which the keeper only just managed to deflect on to the crossbar. Hogg and Lilley were beginning to trouble the back four with increasing regularity, and shortly after the hour mark they combined in a flowing move which saw Lilley fractionally late to get on the end of Hogg’s centre. But then, mid way through the half, Darren Davies broke up an attack, slipped the ball to Tom Whittaker, who sent Hogg flying down the right wing. With electric pace he outstripped everyone before whipping a pinpoint cross on to the head of Lilley, who timed his run to perfection and fired his side level with a powerful header. 

Sensing that this was to be their night, Villa carried the game to their opponents, and reward came with twelve or so minutes left on the watch. Davies sent Lilley away, and in a role reversal, he picked out the lung bursting run of Hogg, and the latter crashed the ball home from close range.  

Ten minutes to go, and suddenly a half that had flown bye seemed that it would last forever, with yours truly checking his watch to make sure it hadn’t stopped.  But concern was premature, as just a couple of minutes later, Sam Bolton, combined with both Lilley and Hogg to carve out a half chance, and Lilley provided the coup de grâce with deft close control which enabled him to smash the ball into the far corner for an unassailable lead. 

It is for nights like this that we keep coming back to amateur football. Although sometimes one comes away from a match thinking ‘ there must be better things to do on a Saturday afternoon/Tuesday evening’, a showing such as tonight makes it all worthwhile.  

Mark McDonnell was again denied his first choice lineup, but those on parade more than did him proud. Lilley and Hogg will grab the headlines for their incisive thrusting play, but it was built on outstanding defending from all, with special mention for a back to his best Lee Chambers and an outstanding and rock solid performance from Andy Almond. 

Villa: Andy Almond, Adam McAlister (Rick Wood 45), Darren Davies, Lee Chambers, Mark Swift, Matt Plano, David Heald, Sam Bolton, Tom Whittaker, Greg Johnstone (Ryan Lilley 45), Danial Hogg.