Sunday 20 October 2013

 

Village Manchester turned in an impressive display on Sunday as they ran out comfortable 7-2 winners against Lawds at the University Pitches in Wythenshawe.

 

Following last week's 8-0 victory against Iraq, Village made two changes as the ill Baker was replaced by player/manager McAuley and Clayton came in at right back for the travelling Parkin. Holmes made his first appearance on the bench alongside Papademetriou.

 

The opposition have had a tough start to the season having faced a number of the league's front runners in their first few games. Village were warned that they would be in for a difficult game as Lawds have a habit of being one of the club's bogey teams.

 

That warning was heeded and Village were quick out of the blocks as they tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Carter shot wide in the second minute and Ure came close to doubling his tally for the season as he curled an attempt over from a corner. 

 

Carter was soon yellow carded - slightly harshly - for a late tackle just inside the Village half. From the resulting free kick Lawds had a shot from 25 yards out which was bravely blocked by Connell on the edge of the box. His block ricocheted to Carter and the striker raced down the left hand side before floating in a beautiful cross to Golds at the back post. A deft touch from the winger's left boot saw the ball nestle in the back of the net. 1-0

 

One turned, almost immediately, into two. A through ball from Alex Wilson found Carter one on one with the keeper. The keeper blocked his shot and the rebound fell to Golds. Golds' first shot was parried by the keeper but he made no mistake at the second attempt as blasted the ball down the middle. 2-0

 

On the half hour mark Lawds had their first shot on target as a shot from just outside the box was easily fielded by McAuley. Village quickly reasserted their dominance however with two goals in five minutes. 

 

With 38 minutes gone, Reece's corner was unconvincingly headed wide by a Lawds defender at the near post. Reece then decided to go to the back post and his deep cross was put back into the six yard box by Ure - where Carter was waiting to bundle the ball home. 3-0

 

Carter was again involved in the fourth goal as he picked up the ball from Alex Wilson's tackle. His square pass found Reece and Reece carefully placed his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net. 4-0.

 

The half time whistle soon blew and Village could reflect on a job well done in the first half.

 

Half time: VMFC 4-0 Lawds

 

The half time team talk praised the effort and workrate on show but stressed the importance of the next goal.

 

And that next goal came almost immediately. Carter got down the right and made his way towards the goal. His effort went past the keeper and trickled along the goal line where a Lawds defender inexplicably sliced the ball into his own net. 5-0

 

Lawds hit back straight away and found the back of the Village net in simple circumstances. A long throw in from the right was met by an onrushing Lawds striker and his powerful header was too strong for McAuley to keep out. 5-1

 

They nearly added to their tally as a ball over the top was just out of the reach of the Lawds striker. 

 

Normal service was soon resumed as Alex Wilson found Langford who skewed his attempt wide. The next goal was soon on its way however - and it was a gift. An innocuous ball through looked like it was the opposition keeper's all day long - but one of the defenders thought differently and knocked the ball to the side. Unluckily for him, Golds was lurking and easily slotted the ball in the far corner to seal his hat-trick. 6-1

 

The sixth goal signalled the end of Alex Wilson's game and he was replaced by Papademetriou. The goals didn't stop however as Langford's through ball found Golds who blasted past the keeper to grab his fourth and Village's seventh. 7-1

 

Lawds almost got their second of the game as a ball over the top created a one on one. McAuley smartly spread himself however and blocked the effort. 

 

With 20 minutes remaining the lethal Golds was replaced by Holmes to make his debut. 

 

Ten minutes later Lawds had the perfect chance to get their second as they were awarded a penalty. Clayton dived in and a smart turn from the Lawds striker saw the right back give away a clear penalty. This penalty was comfortably converted as the taker sent McAuley the wrong way. 7-2 

 

Village had one more chance to match the eight goals that they put past Iraq FC the week before as neat interplay between James Wilson and Holmes on the right set Panos through. The Greek's shot was blazed over however from an acute angle.

 

The match ended bang on the 90 minute mark and Village can be proud of the performance they put in. The defence dealt well with what was thrown at them - both in the air and on the ground - and Connell and Alex Wilson were immense in the middle. The two wingers continuously looked dangerous and the two Paul's up front showed what a menace they could be by being involved in the majority of the goals.

 

Next week sees a break from league action as the club face Stretford Victoria FC in the Robinsons Brewery Sunday Amateur Cup.

 

Full time: VMFC 7-2 Lawds