Match Report | Ian Blezard

Garstang Reserves made the trip down to Euxton for the final fixture of the season, missing a few regulars, but determined to finish their excellent season on a high. Whilst their final league placing was out of their hands, as others still have games in hand, a good performance against Championship contenders Euxton would see them heading off into the sunset in good spirits.

Garstang opened well with Walton and Williams making early runs on the Euxton goal but, looking to pull the ball back to his strike partner from the deadball line, Walton was ushered out into the perimeter fencing, regrettably damaging his recently recovered ankle again. Williams also suffered similar attention on the byline, deputy spongeman Paul Hutton attending to him as Paul Bailey looked after Walton. Walton tried to play on, but was subbed by Mark Hewitt.

Shortly after, Euxton finally managed a meaningful attack passing through the Garstang defence to score. That put them in the ascendancy for a while but, gradually, Butler, Miller and Carlo Maticheccia got their measure, stopping most things getting to Adam Swanwick, who had another good day in goal.

As the competitive and entertaining game moved into the second half, chances remained scarce, at either end, but Garstang, to a man, were pressing Euxton all over the park, forcing errors. The Garstang equaliser came when Andy Taylor Snr picked up a loose ball in midfield and fed Williams down the right; he crossed for Mark Kippax to turn in at the near post. At that point, Garstang were the only winners but, as the gloom and fatigue descended, a stretched game provided Euxton with the late winner, a bad bounce evading Swanwick.

So, that's it for another season. We await the other results to see our final league position, but it will still be the best finish by Garstang Reserves - ever! But more of that later......

Garstang: Swanwick, Maticheccia C, Butler R, Miller, Taylor Snr., Southward, Matticheccia A, Twiname, Walton, Williams N and Kippax
Substitutes: Hewitt (Walton), Taylor Jnr (Twiname)

Euxton: Yates, Chambers, Ryder, O'Loughlin, Bowman, Zverina, Southern, Heald, Stewart, Blundell and Mason
Substitutes: Bradshaw (Ryder), McAlister (Heald), Dawson (Mason), Clitheroe

As Others See Us | Euxton Villa Website

This was a highly competitive match as the visitors came looking to finish their season on a positive note.

The pace was fast from the start with both sides committed to getting on top. The first chance fell to Garstang following a corner, but Stuart Yates punched away to clear the danger. With eleven minutes played Villa got the early goal they were looking for. Dave Mason chased a ball into the corner before laying it into the path of Craig Chambers who swept a low shot inside the near post.

This lifted the home side as they continued to press the visitors back. Damien Stewart and Dave Mason combined well on the left before putting a dangerous ball into the box which Pavel Zverina came close to converting. Euxton were having the better of things at this stage of the game. On the half hour Pavel Zverina was fouled on the right hand side of the box, the free kick was cleared for a corner. The Villa pressure resulted in another free kick on the edge of the area two minutes later. Pete Ryder took the kick which just flew over the top corner. With five minutes of the half remaining Garstang had their best chance, but Stuart Yates held the shot. Then Villa came close as a long ball down the middle released Danny Dawson but the Garstang keeper managed to turn the shot around the post.

So Villa just edged a tight first half, and left the field knowing there was still a lot of work needed to hold onto their lead. Garstang came out for the second half fired up, sensing they could get something from the game. However it was Villa who had the first chance of the half as Pavel Zverina had a shot blocked. The visitors were working hard and started to push Villa back. The home defence were working hard to keep the visitors out, with James O'Loughlin outstanding at the heart of the Villa defence. On the hour a quick Villa free kick released Damien Stewart, he found David Heald who drove the ball low across the area, Chris Blundell following up saw his shot blocked. Garstang continued to press for an equaliser , and Villa were now relying on breakaways.

Then with thirteen minutes remaining the Garstang pressure paid off as a ball down the right was not cleared and they scored with a low shot inside the near post. Three minutes later they came close to winning the game with a shot that came back off the Villa post. Villa were not finished, they took control of the remainder of the game. Mick Bradshaw put a good cross into the box, which was met by Damien Stewart , but his header was saved, he then came close with a shot over the bar. The Villa pressure finally told with six minutes remaining, a ball into the box from the right was met by Pavel Zverina who gave the keeper no chance from close range. A tough match with Villa just about deserving the points as they keep up the pressure on the leaders.