Villa Lose Home Opener

<p>Leyland United came away with all three points as Euxton Villa paid the price for a mistake-ridden opening 20 minutes.

<p>Euxton started well, shifting the ball around the park neatly and seeing the first attempt on goal float wide from a Pickup effort down the left. Leyland drew blood on their first attack; the Villa defense caught ball-watching to allow Leyland's striker a free run on goal to open his accout for the season.

<p>Worse was to follow as a looping effort from the corner of the 18-yard box floated into the top corner to double the visitors' lead.

<p>Euxton had an opportunity to the halve the deficit when a quick free-kick from Whittaker found Gutteridge in space ten yards out, only for his shot to roll past the keeper and the worng side of the post.

<p>Leyland grabbed an oportunisitic third as their striker doubled his tally when first to react to a cross-shot after Euxton were caught napping on a quick free-kick routine.

<p>The worst was yet to come as an overhit ball into the box eluded Higginbotham in goal to allow the easiest of headers into the net to make it 4-0. Conway pulled off a quite extraordinary last-gasp tackle to save the scoreline from embarrassment just a few minutes later.

<p>The home side were on the verge of total collapse, but rolled their sleeves up and forced their way back into the game after good work from Walton and Maudsley allowed Gutteridge to slip the offside trap and place his effort neatly into the corner of the net.

<p>Pickup saw a deflected effort hit the outside of the post before Walsh fired a free-kick into the wall when well-positioned.

<p>Leyland were reduced to ten men just before the interval, the referee showing red for a dangerous, head-high challenge.

<p>The pace of the second-half slowed in the summer heat, with Leyland sitting deep and looking to play on the break. Although Euxton had much of the possession, a second goal never materialised even though Pickup once again hit the post and also saw a headed effort well saved.

<p>Higginbotham had a much quieter second 45, though did save superbly when tested from close-range late in the half.

<p>A disappointing start given the hard work in pre-season, but the Villa can take heart from the good periods of posession and chances that were created against a strong Leyland team who will no doubt be near the top of the table come April.