Euxton Villa Match Report

STEETON fell to a fifth consecutive defeat as they went down 1-0 away from home to play-off hopefuls Euxton Villa.

In a game of two halves, controlled by the home side in the first half and the Chevrons in the second, the visitors were punished for not taking their chances on goal in a bad-tempered encounter.

And despite another committed performance in which Roy Mason’s side will feel they should have left with a point, they were again left frustrated for not turning possession into goals and more importantly points.

Steeton nearly got off to the worst possible start just three minutes into the game, James Catlow being caught out of position, but Arley Barnes managed to get back to clear off the line to deny Ethan Danku.

Catlow then became the hero as he kept parity with a superb outstretched save to turn a goal bound effort over the crossbar before a brave low save to deny Dan Singleton.

The afternoon’s first confrontation, which would set the tone for the rest of the game, came midway through the half as Jake Townsend and Cameron Ross exchanged unpleasantries following a push from the former as they challenged for the ball.

Steeton had their only real chance of the first half shortly before the interval, but Josh Debenham got the ball stuck beneath his feet at the key moment.

Starting the second half brightly, Mason’s side created a superb opportunity to take the lead as Townsend beat the offside trap, yet his delivery went just behind Debenham.

The home side launched a counter attack from which they broke the deadlock.

Working the ball to the edge of the area, Alex Colquhoun took hold off the ball and finding himself with space, the Villa skipper launched one past Catlow for what proved the afternoon’s only goal.

This further lit the fuse as just a minute later the referee was forced to intervene as handbags came out in back play.

And there was a chance for Euxton to double their lead, but Catlow made an outstanding double save to turn the ball on the bar and away from his goal for a corner.

Now a goal behind, the Chevrons dug in as they looked to find the equaliser.

Winning a free kick in a promising position, Alex Stewart put a superb delivery towards the penalty spot.

Josh Coe found a free header inside the area but unfortunately put it straight at the keeper rather than either side for the leveller.

Moments after, Coe would clash with Ross leading to yet another exchange between the two sets of players.

The fireworks wouldn’t end there, Harvey Green seeing a yellow card for a late challenge that saw further exchanges between the two sets of players.

Backed into a corner, the referee had no choice but to speak with the two dugouts after a 50/50 challenge near to the touchline allowed tensions to boil over for good.

The green wave continued to push but could not find the back of the net as Gregorio Barnett saw a header fly high and wide.

Deep into injury time, agony became the motion of the day for the visitors.

In the 94th minute, the width of the post denied them a point to return home with as Lewis Gartland’s outstanding free kick was met by the diving head of Macca Smith.

With the Euxton keeper beaten, the ball came back off the post and was cleared away from danger.

Steeton now move onto next weekend and what already looks like a six pointer against fellow early season strugglers, Darwen.

STEETON (Subs): Catlow; M Smith; J Smith (Gibbon); Barnes; Illingworth; Mitchell; Green; A Stewart (Gartland); Debenham (Coe); Prata; Townsend (Barnett). Sub (Not Used): Kelly.