Slick Villa Pick Up The Points

<p>Euxton Villa finally got three points on the board as they clicked into gear to defeat local rivals Coppull United by four goals to one.

<p>The game began at a fast pace with Villa looking to move the ball quickly and press high. On five minutes, Banks won the ball at left-back before slipping the ball to Whittaker. A quick combination with Walsh and Donnelly allowed the latter to send Pickup through on goal to open the scoring with a splendid drive into the bottom-left corner.

<p>Coppull were rocked by the early goal and found themselves pinned back by the twin wide threats of Davies and Mawdesley whilst the tidy passing of Walsh in central midfield kept things moving. A succession of corners paid dividends as Pickup rose highest to nod home a Walsh delivery just ten minutes later.

<p>Things got even better on the 25 minute mark as Banks delivered a long diagonal to the head of Pickup, his flick bundled home by Mawdesley at the back post.

<p>Jones and McCormack dealt with any trouble coming their way, adopting a no-prisoners attitude with some brusing tackles and aerial challenges. There was little they could do about Coppull's reply shortly before half-time as a fortuitous bounce allowed the opposing striker to sneak in and fire home after an initial save from Scott.

<p>Villa almost added a fourth before the interval as first Whittaker, then Davies went close with headed attempts.

<p>The second half began in similar fashion to the first, Davies testing the visting keeper after expertly reading Pickup's flick from a Walton ball.

<p>Coppull began to get themselves back into the game with some good possession, though the Villa back four stood firm with Scott confidently claiming any aerial deliveries. Matches hinge on key moments, and Walton was involved in perhaps the definining moment of the game when he somehow managed to produce a double-block on the line with the Coppull striker just yards away. The score stayed at 3-1 and a better defensive moment you will rarely see.

<p>With Coppull's golden chance wasted, Euxton began to turn the screw as Gorge and Stewart looked to take advantage of space left behind as the visitors pushed forward. Stewart delivered a peach of a cross to Pickup who's effort was well saved, before squaring to Whittaker whose volley was cleared on it's way to goal.

<p>Stewart eventually carved out the fourth goal with just minutes left, teeing up Pickup for a hat-trick that marked a powerful yet elegant performance from the striker.