FC Village 5-1 Town Lane
20/01/07 - League

FC Village's last defeat was by Town Lane and they got ample revenge with a comfortable win at fortress Levers despite missing several keys players. The side were already missing the working Cottier and Martin and the injured Ritchie but then lost Dava, Gavin, Jimmy and Mike O who all failed to turn up for the game. Lee switched to right back with Muzza taking over his left back role and Mike R got a game after several frustrating weeks on the bench on the right side of midfield leaving assistant Manager John as their only sub and he only got changed in case of an emergency. As in most of their previous home matches this season the Village tore out of the blocks and virtually won the game in the opening 10 minutes. It didn’t take them long to open the scoring when Damo burst in to the area and fired in his first goal for the team. Minutes later Maggot got the ball out on the right wing, cut in and curled in a beauty which gave the keeper no chance and it was 2-0. The pace died somewhat now although Colin missed a sitter when Maggot curled in another shot that was going towards goal and Colin decided to make sure but the ball flew off his leg and over the bar. The Lane gradually came in to the game but never really threatened the home goal and another quick two goal burst just before the interval did seal the victory. Firstly Muzza got the ball out on the left and his cross sailed straight in to the net as the keeper just stood there blinded by the sun. Then a break down the right saw Mike R send over a great cross which was swept home in style by Sweeney and it was 4-0 at half time. Straight from the start of the second half Sweeney was set free down the left but he failed to connect with the ball when he looked like scoring again. However it wasn’t long before the fifth goal went in when some neat play around the Lane area between Muzza and Sweeney ended with Damo being played in and he fired home his second of the game. It just now seemed a matter of how many the Village could get but then an injury put them out of their stride and the game for them just petered out. Damo had made a run down the left but pulled up with a tight hamstring, he tried to carry on but was forced to come off and be replaced by John. This just upset the Village’s pattern of play and allowed the Lane to dominate the remainder of the game. However they only got through on one occasion other than when they scored their consolation goal and Jay made a magic save to keep them out. That goal came towards the end and was the only disappointing thing about the result as it looked like the side would keep a clean sheet for once. The ref finally blew for full time and this came as a relief as the Lane resorted to the same nastiness that was seen from them in their previous match. At least the side don’t have to play them again this season and it was sweet revenge as they claim another two points and retain that unbeaten home record.