FC Village

Report: Avenue 5 FC Village 5

A ten goal thriller ended all square as two of the top sides clashed in a mud bath down at Valley Road with kev Machin netting a deserved 89th minute equaliser for the visitors. At one point during the week the team had lost its spine with the exception of Jay as Leigh was out due to work, Booey had an ankle injury and Maggot was in hospital on the Friday for his knee operation (we wish him a speedy recovery). With Ritchie unavailable as well the side were glad of the return of both Pete and Martin and looked forward to the debut of Mike. However as usual there were some last minute changes as Mike announced he was still injured but they managed to get Ashley Oldam down to sign on and then Booey found he had recovered enough from his ankle injury to play.

Still they turned up on the rain soaked surface with only eleven as Jason was still asleep (he did eventually make it) to find the ref contemplating calling the game off. However after switching pitches and then waiting for the surface water to be swept away they did kick off and enjoyed the better of the opening period. Machin broke through from the halfway line but just as he was about to shoot, the ball got stuck under his feet and then Pete lashed in a great effort that crashed off the bar in to the keepers hands. With things looking good the Village suddenly found themselves two down when Pete was off the field changing his split boots as two set pieces were their undoing. Although they won the initial challenge the Village failed to get to the second ball and the Ave opened the scoring and within a couple of minutes doubled their lead. However as in their previous away game the Village didn’t give in and their new found resolve saw them reap the dividends as they scored twice themselves to bring the game level. Firstly Kev was on hand to fire home a great angled drive from Pete’s curling free kick and then when the hard working Ashley found himself with a bit of space some 30 yards out he unleashed a great shot which sailed over the keepers head for the equaliser. Thinking they had done the hard part the Village then threw all their good work away as they allowed Avenue to score two more goals before the half time whistle as once again defensive lapses cost them dearly.

Still despite being 2-4 down at the turn around the half time talk was all positive with the belief that they had done it once and could do it again. They were proved right as they dominated the second half taking the game to the home side and once Pete had thundered home a 35 yard free kick to reduce the arrears they knew they could do it. They came close several times and forced numerous corners and then came the chance they wanted as Kenny weaved his magic out on the right and crossed for Victor to volley home in style for 4-4. It looked like the result would only go one way now but the Ave had chances themselves and Jay had to make several smart saves before disaster struck once again some ten minutes from the end. A cross from the right was only half cleared and the Ave left winger fired home to put them in front for the third time. Still the Village plugged away and finally got their reward in the last minute when Kev went down in the penalty box from a tackle and the ref pointed to the spot. With no Maggot it was left to Kev to take responsibility and he saw his effort stopped on the line by the keeper but the ref had spotted an encroachment in to the area. This time Kev made no mistake as he joyfully blasted the ball home for 5-5. Still the action wasn’t over as Jay had to make a great save down the other end as the Village just couldn’t get the ball out of their half but the ref soon blew the final whistle and they had got the point their display fully deserved.

Team Line-up

FC Village: Hill: Metcalf, Whorton, Wilson, Harper; Murphy, Oldam, Leeds, Machin, Byrne; Thurgill
Subs not used: Church

More photos from this game click here



	Report: Avenue 5 FC Village 5 A ten goal thriller ended all square as two of the top sides clashed in a mud bath down at Valley Road with kev Machin netting a deserved 89th minute equaliser for the visitors. At one point during the week the team had lost its spine with the exception of Jay as Leigh was out due to work, Booey had an ankle injury and Maggot was in hospital on the Friday for his knee operation (we wish him a speedy recovery). With Ritchie unavailable as well the side were glad of the return of both Pete and Martin and looked forward to the debut of Mike. However as usual there were some last minute changes as Mike announced he was still injured but they managed to get Ashley Oldam down to sign on and then Booey found he had recovered enough from his ankle injury to play. Still they turned up on the rain soaked surface with only eleven as Jason was still asleep (he did eventually make it) to find the ref contemplating calling the game off. However after switching pitches and then waiting for the surface water to be swept away they did kick off and enjoyed the better of the opening period. Machin broke through from the halfway line but just as he was about to shoot, the ball got stuck under his feet and then Pete lashed in a great effort that crashed off the bar in to the keepers hands. With things looking good the Village suddenly found themselves two down when Pete was off the field changing his split boots as two set pieces were their undoing. Although they won the initial challenge the Village failed to get to the second ball and the Ave opened the scoring and within a couple of minutes doubled their lead. However as in their previous away game the Village didn’t give in and their new found resolve saw them reap the dividends as they scored twice themselves to bring the game level. Firstly Kev was on hand to fire home a great angled drive from Pete’s curling free kick and then when the hard working Ashley found himself with a bit of space some 30 yards out he unleashed a great shot which sailed over the keepers head for the equaliser. Thinking they had done the hard part the Village then threw all their good work away as they allowed Avenue to score two more goals before the half time whistle as once again defensive lapses cost them dearly. Still despite being 2-4 down at the turn around the half time talk was all positive with the belief that they had done it once and could do it again. They were proved right as they dominated the second half taking the game to the home side and once Pete had thundered home a 35 yard free kick to reduce the arrears they knew they could do it. They came close several times and forced numerous corners and then came the chance they wanted as Kenny weaved his magic out on the right and crossed for Victor to volley home in style for 4-4. It looked like the result would only go one way now but the Ave had chances themselves and Jay had to make several smart saves before disaster struck once again some ten minutes from the end. A cross from the right was only half cleared and the Ave left winger fired home to put them in front for the third time. Still the Village plugged away and finally got their reward in the last minute when Kev went down in the penalty box from a tackle and the ref pointed to the spot. With no Maggot it was left to Kev to take responsibility and he saw his effort stopped on the line by the keeper but the ref had spotted an encroachment in to the area. This time Kev made no mistake as he joyfully blasted the ball home for 5-5. Still the action wasn’t over as Jay had to make a great save down the other end as the Village just couldn’t get the ball out of their half but the ref soon blew the final whistle and they had got the point their display fully deserved. Team Line-up FC Village: Hill: Metcalf, Whorton, Wilson, Harper; Murphy, Oldam, Leeds, Machin, Byrne; Thurgill Subs not used: Church More photos from this game click here Birkenhead & Wirral AFL Div 2 Valley Road, Saturday 1st December Avenue 5 FC Village 5 Machin(2)(1pen) Thurgill Byrne Oldam