Villa Lack Rub Of The Green

<p>Euxton Villa lost their second game in three days, going down 3-2 at home to Hurst Green on a wet & wild Monday evening.

<p>The hosts started superbly as Davies terrorised his opposing full-back with some powerful runs down the wing and an early effort that flew just wide.

<p>It wasn't long until the first goal came; a slick move between McPhail and Gutteridge allowed Whittaker to release Maudsley to skip past the keeper and slot into an empty net.

<p>The lead was short-lived though, Hurst Green capitalising on some slack marking to fire home from 12 yards out from a routine throw-in.

<p>The visitors grabbed the lead shortly after, Higginbotham left unsighted after a poor clearance was drilled through a sea of bodies from the edge of the box.

<p>The home side picked up the slack and continued to look dangerous down the left-flank, Davies again trying his luck from the edge of the box to no avail.

<p>The 2nd half began in much the same way the 1st finished, with Villa on the front foot and pressing for an equaliser. Unfortunately a third goal arrived for the visitors against the run of play. Veteran defender Heald heading home at the wrong end to gift the visitors a two-goal cushion.

<p>Villa contniued to press as Jones and Stewart were introduced on the hour mark. Stewart wasted little time getting in on the action, angling a beautiful left-footed strike into the top corner from 20 yards after yet more good work from the industrious Davies.

<p>It looked to be just a matter of time before an equaliser arrived, with the best opening arriving minutes before the whistle as Stewart's flick from a Whittaker cross found Jones clear on goal. His first time volley from 8 yards was somehow stopped by the Hurst Green keeper to ensure all three points left in the mini-bus back up the Ribble Valley.