09/07/2011 - Report by Steve Hill

Report: Pre-season Friendlies

The Village started the season early with an impressive win over Chester way against Prem side Hoole Rangers. Despite missing all 3 central defenders the Village put out a decent starting lineup that saw Peter and Adam move in to the centre of defence, Leigh Hougton to right back and new boy Paddy in at left back. Otherwise the rest of the side looked the same although they started with two up front which left three on the bench. With the Village nearly scoring in the opening minutes through Matty you felt that the goals would come. By half time the team led 3-1 as Billy opened the scoring with a volley and this was shortly followed by a Porky overhead kick before Hoole scored a fine effort and then Matty restored the two goal advantage. With Josh and Maggot on, the side increased their lead with Porky's well taken second before Hoole reduced the arrears again. With Josh working his magic on the wing the Village sealed the game with two quick goals. Mikey headed home a great goal from a pin point cross from Josh and he repeated this soon after when he planted another great cross on to the head of Maggot who notched for 6-2. Hoole pulled a third goal back before Matty back on for Porky raced through for his second and he then crossed for Maggot to slide in for his brace and things were rounded off by Josh when he scored via the underside of the bar with a 30 yarder that was the last kick of the game. So despite a makeshift defence a very good work for the side.

Team Line-up: Hill, Houghton, Irvine, Coulls(A), Padmore(Griffiths); Phillips(Dunroe), Lyon, Devey(M), Devey(B); Smith(Eaton), Devey(P)
Subs not used:- Daniels

Unable to play their original fixture the Village found they could play Arrowe Park who have just joined the Chester League. After several attempts to find a pitch they settled on Ridgeway School as the Village were missing several players. Unavailable were Paddy, Dava and Mikey and Paul was holiday but Nick, Hutton and Beren all returned but they were left with only 2 subs as Matty arrived at half time to join Maggot on the bench.

Team Line-up: Hill, Irvine, Whorton, Hutton, Moylan; Dunroe, Coulls(A), Houghton(Eaton), Devey(B); Phillips, Devey(P)(Smith)
Subs not used:-

Due to play Raby Villa in their third game the Village moved that to the following week so they could play at the Field of Dreams against Tarvin 2000 Ath. Missing were Porky, Dava, Nick and Leigh Hutton but Paul was back for his first outing and Paddy and Mikey returned. They were joined by newcomers Carl Coulls and Peter Vaughan who both making their debuts for the side. The Village dominated the first half. made several changes, let Tarvin back in to it, got back on top and then let in go in the final minute. Fuller report to follow.......

Team Line-up: Hill, Houghton, Stewart, Coulls(C), Padmore(Moylan); Dunroe, Coulls(A), Devey(M), Devey(B); Smith(Vaughan), Phillips(Eaton)
Subs not used:-

The Village's final friendly was the rearranged game against Raby Villa and at one point it looked like the team would be able to field nearly two diiferent sides during the game. However peeople dropped out during the day and in the end they went with 15 which included one old boy in Mike Rutter and Neish for his first run out of the pre season. After a terrible opening 15 minutes when the side went three down the Village showed the character to dominate most of the game, certainly the second half and nearly get the draw they deserved. Fuller report to follow.........

Team Line-up: Hill, Moylan(Vaughan), Stewart, Coulls(C), Hutton; Devey(M), Coulls(A), Lyon, Devey(B)(Dunroe); Devey(P)(Rutter), Phillips(Neish)
Subs not used:-

For photos from Hoole Rangers game click here

For photos from Arrowe Park game click here

For photos from Tarvin 2000 Ath game click here

For photos from Raby Villa game click here