FC Village

Report: FC Village 1 Claughton Hotel 3

Last home match of the season which was switched to Plymyards due to cricket being played at Levers saw the Village lose to one of the two sides that can win the league as the game was shrouded in controversy. With Andy off watching Tranmere Harper volunteered to go in goal as he became the fourth different keeper this season. Other’s missing were Mikey, Dava, Beattie, Colin and Rutter as the side deployed a 5 man midfield with McIvor and Buntzy returning to the team and this left Booey, Crozzer and Spud on the bench.

With home pitch Levers unavailable due to a cricket match the Village had to play this home game down at Plymyards and on a hot sunny afternoon they kicked off hoping they could get something from the likely champions. Both sides were evenly matched during the opening period with the Village forcing several corners and looking lively. Then midway through the half disaster struck as a long range effort from a Claughton forward went under the diving Harper to open the scoring for the visitors. Both sides then had chances to either get back on level terms or stretch their lead but nothing was taken and it remained 0-1 at the interval.

Claughton started the better of the two sides in the second half and when they doubled their lead some 10 minutes in it looked all over for the Village. They replaced Stewy McIvor with Booey in the hope of turning things around and it suddenly started to happen for the home side. Then when Claughton were reduced to 10 ten with their midfielder getting his marching orders the Village took control. However it didn’t look as though it was going to be their day when Ritchie’s spectacular volley beat the keeper but crashed back off the bar to safety. Then the Village were handed a lifeline when Matty was adjudged to have been man handled in the area (looked harsh from the sideline) and the ref pointed to the spot. Despite a long wait and some people trying to put him off Maggot coolly converted and the arrears had been halved. The Village really went for it now but just couldn’t create that real clear cut chance they wanted and then when Buntzy went in the area they appealed for another penalty but this time it was waved away. With the clock ticking away and the home side pouring forward Claughton broke down the right wing and when the cross came over their left winger shouted “mine” to which Nick and another forward let the ball go and he volleyed home. The Village players appealed but the ref pointed to the centre circle for a goal. When asked why he allowed it he said that might be his nickname. The Village players couldn’t believe it and seconds later it was all over and Claughton were that much nearer to claiming the title.

Team Line-up

FC Village: Harper: Whorton, Stewart, Ford, Morrell, Smith, Jones, Aspey, McIvor(Easterbrook), Brennan; Eaton
Subs not used: Greenfield, Doran

More photos from this game click here



	Report: FC Village 1 Claughton Hotel 3 Last home match of the season which was switched to Plymyards due to cricket being played at Levers saw the Village lose to one of the two sides that can win the league as the game was shrouded in controversy. With Andy off watching Tranmere Harper volunteered to go in goal as he became the fourth different keeper this season. Other’s missing were Mikey, Dava, Beattie, Colin and Rutter as the side deployed a 5 man midfield with McIvor and Buntzy returning to the team and this left Booey, Crozzer and Spud on the bench. With home pitch Levers unavailable due to a cricket match the Village had to play this home game down at Plymyards and on a hot sunny afternoon they kicked off hoping they could get something from the likely champions. Both sides were evenly matched during the opening period with the Village forcing several corners and looking lively. Then midway through the half disaster struck as a long range effort from a Claughton forward went under the diving Harper to open the scoring for the visitors. Both sides then had chances to either get back on level terms or stretch their lead but nothing was taken and it remained 0-1 at the interval. Claughton started the better of the two sides in the second half and when they doubled their lead some 10 minutes in it looked all over for the Village. They replaced Stewy McIvor with Booey in the hope of turning things around and it suddenly started to happen for the home side. Then when Claughton were reduced to 10 ten with their midfielder getting his marching orders the Village took control. However it didn’t look as though it was going to be their day when Ritchie’s spectacular volley beat the keeper but crashed back off the bar to safety. Then the Village were handed a lifeline when Matty was adjudged to have been man handled in the area (looked harsh from the sideline) and the ref pointed to the spot. Despite a long wait and some people trying to put him off Maggot coolly converted and the arrears had been halved. The Village really went for it now but just couldn’t create that real clear cut chance they wanted and then when Buntzy went in the area they appealed for another penalty but this time it was waved away. With the clock ticking away and the home side pouring forward Claughton broke down the right wing and when the cross came over their left winger shouted “mine” to which Nick and another forward let the ball go and he volleyed home. The Village players appealed but the ref pointed to the centre circle for a goal. When asked why he allowed it he said that might be his nickname. The Village players couldn’t believe it and seconds later it was all over and Claughton were that much nearer to claiming the title. Team Line-up FC Village: Harper: Whorton, Stewart, Ford, Morrell, Smith, Jones, Aspey, McIvor(Easterbrook), Brennan; Eaton Subs not used: Greenfield, Doran More photos from this game click here Birkenhead & Wirral AFL Div 1 Plymyards, Saturday 18th April FC Village 1 Eaton(pen) Claughton Hotel 3