Euxton Villa Reserves 2 vs 3 Hurst Green Reserves

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.