Euxton Villa

Ground 6

Match 6

Venue -  Jim Fowler Memorial Ground

Friendly

Admission £2 Donation

Attendance 300 est

Distance Travelled 2 miles

As i approached the ground travelling along Runshaw Hall Lane i got the usual tinge of excitement and couldn't resist pulling up by the roadside gates photographing the venue entrance .The ground is situated literally and metaphorically 200 yards into Chorley just outside Leyland passing Runshaw College on the approach via Langdale road and Runshaw Hall Lane . I proceeded through the gates and was guided to ample parking space by the club stewards and paid £2 admission including a raffle ticket .

The Jim Fowler Memorial Ground/Fields,Runshaw Hall Lane Euxton (Ekstan) Chorley PR6 7HH home of Euxton Villa from the West Lancs Premier played host to Chorley . Attendance approx 300 - £100 to be donated to Derrian House, 25% of the admmission . This was a tremendous gesture and effort by all .



On my last visit here i was with my Uncle Joe and Paul Allen for a training session more than 30 years ago - might have been for the Talbot pub (FC) but it was definately this pitch . The venue is approximately 2 miles from my home in Moss Side Leyland and with the absence of Leyland Motors is probably my nearest local team .
 No programme or team sheet was available so i made my way to the new club house built recently with funds raised over many years by the club and providing the only covered spectator area of the ground . As i passed a hot dog and burger tent the early evening air was filled with an auroma of barbeque food . I was impressed with the selection of drinks, food and reasonable prices . Mars bar 60p Beer £2 wine £1.50 etc . It was like football heaven at a lower level , the club is making a valiant effort, embracing all supporters and encouraging young players and families to be part of the club including girls teams , boys teams and youths , a system you tend to associate with European clubs like Ajax . As i was taking photos i noticed a space near the half-way line where i seemed to remember the position of the old changing room hut .
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The Euxton players appeared first and waited for Chorley before making their way with the youngsters towards the pitch .

It was like a Champions League entrance , only the music was absent .The players lined up on the pitch with the officials , shook hands .

The first half was a war of attrition with both midfields cancelling the other . Euxton's number 2 McAllister brought down Chorleys number 12 ' Vinny Jones 'lookalike with a crunching tackle , sandwiching both his legs as he manouvered swiftly and skillfully to one side .Both players didn't give an inch and were prepared to 'mix it' for the rest of the first half . The tackles kept flying in and made up for the lack of goals . Euxtons number 11 Whittaker got a severe brushing down by the referee who seemed reluctant to get out the cards despite a hasty , vicious challenge . Just as it appeared to be heading for 0-0 at the interval Chorleys answer to' Vinny Jones' was put clear , shooting a yard wide with the keeper swiftly off his line narrowing the angle .
The Euxton keeper was constantly admonishing and guiding his defenders , keeping them on their toes , holding their own against higher league neighbours . H-T 0-0
I elected to stay behind the Chorley goal for the second half , ever the optimist of capturing a Villa goal . The second half began; in less than 2 minutes Chorleys winger , penetrating down Euxton's left , centred and Denham scored ; an area the Euxton coaching staff identified to their defenders as vulnerable . Substitutions followed , both teams were creating opportunities . Villa fans were extatic when McAllister headed home from a corner, losing his markers , sending Chorley's number 4 ballistic with his team mates and frustrated at an Euxton fan who couldn't contain his delight bellowing amongst the Chorey contingent behind the goal . You could understand his reaction to some extent and fans like to see committed players whatever level






Minutes later Chorley were awarded a spot kick for a badly mis-timed tackle .Not many complaints from the Villa players or fans .
No mistake by Mark Houghton from 12 yards and Chorley run out winners 2 - 1
Scorers Exuton Villa Adam McAllister Chorley - Chris Denham Mark Houghton


Match Officials 9/10 Missed a few things (bit like me lol) but in general worked well as a team . Could have been harsher but used discretion wisely and kept the game under control.



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Maybe of interest - Programme from 1971 Chorley and Leyland secondary schools sports Council Gillett Cup and chorley FC Cup . Programmes like this bought and sold Ephemeraworld.co.uk or sportsattax.com