Match Report | Les Taylor

Following two defeats, and with a paper thin squad, Garstang recorded a magnificent win at high flying Euxton Villa on Saturday, going in front within two minutes. Fawcett fed Kilifin on the right and his perfect cross to the far post was majestically headed home by skipper Wilson. Five minutes later a Butler free kick was tipped on to the bar by home 'keeper Jackson before Cummins was set up, first by Butler, and then by Wilson, but the Garstang striker spurned both opportunities.

The Garstang defence were easily able to snuff out the spasmodic early Euxton attacks and it wasn't until the 20th minute that Brindle had to make a real save, going down well to keep out a header from Clitheroe. Garstang continued to dominate and were unlucky not to go two up when Butler's shot hit a post, rebounded across the goal, and out of play. Cummins was given his third opportunity to score when he was put through one on one with the keeper, but his shot went straight at Jackson.

Cummins did, however, make amends with his involvement in Garstang's second goal in the 35th minute. A determined Fawcett battled to win the ball just inside the Euxton half, he slipped the ball to Cummins and continued his run, Cummins gave an inch perfect return pass back to Fawcett; a magnificent goal.

Euxton reduced the arrears after 38 minutes when Atherton was put through and scored from what looked an offside position. Cropper was booked for his protests. A long throw from Taylor into the box on 40 minutes then found Geoff Wilson, who turned and fired home to restore the visitors two goal advantage.

Euxton were becoming more and more frustrated, unable to make any impact on Garstang's defence with Baker once again outstanding. Atherton earning himself a booking for a needless foul on Butler.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first. Wilson headed home a Cropper cross, only to be rulled offside, then a Cummins free kick was tipped on to the bar by Jackson. The Euxton manager then brought on three substitutes, replacing Craig Chambers and John Salisbury with Craddock and Blundell which made an immediate difference and, for the next 20 minutes, Garstang were put under serious pressure but, as in some previous games, stalwart defending meant that Brindle did not have to make any notable saves.

During this period of pressure Cooper earned himself a booking and play was held up for a long period due to a serious injury to Euxton substitute Blundell. Soon after play getting under way, Woodman made it 2-3 leaving a long 15 minutes to go. Euxton skipper Davies was booked for remonstrating with the Referee and was lucky not to recieve a red for continuing his protests. The not fully fit Baldwin replaced Cummins on 85 minutes and with his first touch he turned his defender well before feeding the hard working Fawcett, who deservidly scored his second goal and Garstang's fourth to finally end Euxton's resistance.

Garstang: Brindle, Cropper, Butler, McEvoy, Baker, Wilson R., Kilifin, Fawcett, Cummins, Wilson G., Taylor A. Snr.
Substitutes: M Baldwin (Cummins), Horton, Porter

Euxton Villa: Jackson, C.Chambers, Burton, Davies, L.Chambers,Cooper, Salisbury, Woodman, Atherton, Zeverna, Clitheroe,
Substitutes: Craddock (C Chambers),Blundell (Salisbury), Bingham (Atherton

In their match preview on their website, Garstang alluded to the fact that the outcome of their trip south could well depend on which Euxton Villa turned up! In truth, for the first fifty minutes neither Villa side turned up, and the home support were subjected to the embarrassment of watching a defence that has been resolute of late, stand aside and allow the opposition the freedom of the park. If there was a way of harnessing the steam coming from Mark McDonnell’s ears, you could have solved Britain’s balance of payments crisis at a stroke! It took the visitors less than two minutes to grab the lead when Wilson headed home unchallenged. Words like ‘static’ and ‘rooted’ spring to mind. Thus shaken, Villa proceeded to flap and fluster their way through the next half hour, during which Garstang forced Matt Jackson into a couple of fine saves, and saw a tame effort come miraculously back off the inside of the post. (Sorry about the split infinitive for you connoisseurs of grammar). Then shortly after the half hour they inevitably doubled their lead when Fawcet strolled through to notch his side’s second. Villa’s best, and indeed only, move of the half saw them grab a lifeline. Pavel Zverina timed his right wing run to perfection and delivered a perfect cross, and Matt Atherton met it on the full and volleyed past the keeper with power and accuracy. The lift to the spirits was to be short lived however, as Wilson was again able to take advantage of Villa’s generosity with yet another soft goal to restore his side’s two goal advantage before the interval. The second half started ominously for the home side when inside five minutes Wilson headed home unchallenged from eight yards, but the off-side flag saved the home defence further misery. Three minutes later Garstang had the ball in the net yet again, but only after Jackson had been bundled over and it was never going to be allowed. Mark McDonnell did what he had to do and threw on all three subs, and some sympathy must go to the three lads replaced, as they were no worse than the rest, and quite frankly it could have been any three who came off. Villa’s bets hope at this stage seemed to rest with the hope that the increasingly muddy pitch might be deemed dangerous and the official might call a halt to proceedings. Had it been a boxing match though, he would probably have stopped it to avoid the loosing side taking unnecessary further punishment. But suddenly Villa woke up. Might have been due to the changes, might just have been that Euxton decided that they better make a bit of effort if they wanted a shirt next week. Whatever the reason, they managed to find a couple of extra gears and turned the tables on their opponents. Phil Woodman provided the cutting edge, latching on to a through ball and retaining his composure to finish like a Torres. Unfortunately for Villa and more importantly for the lad himself, debutant Chris Blundell fell awkwardly in a challenge and although he got to his feet he was afflicted by pain spasms in his lower back, bad enough for him to have to be stretchered off and an ambulance called. Although Villa did manage to retain the momentum they now had, with all three subs already used, inevitably the numerical disadvantage meant gaps appearing, and man of the match Fawcett was able to put the game beyond doubt in stoppage time. The phrase ‘bad day at the office’ doesn’t even begin to cover it, but at least the lads finished on a positive footing, and have a very early chance to redeem themselves, as next Saturday sees them travel to Garstang in the reverse fixture. Villa Line-Up; Matt Jackson, Craig Chambers (Stuart Bingham 70), Darren Davies, Lee Chambers, Sam Bolton, John Salisbury (Chris Blundell 70), Phil Woodman, Gavin Cooper, Michael Clitheroe (George Craddock 70), Pavel Zverina, Matt Atherton