EKYC 5 Villa Park 2

A home game at Ballerup Pitch 1 saw us entertain Villa Park, a team we had never played before. With the continued absence of James Kinniburgh through illness, a late call off from Sam Hill and Thomas McGuire & Jamie Cunningham being on holiday, we were down to only 13 players, and no goalkeeper, for the 4th week in a row.

Jack Kerr started in goal, but his influence in midfield was missed from the start and our boys struggled against a well organised Villa Park side.

We went a goal down after a long kick from the opposition keeper was missed by everyone in defence and the forward ran from the half way line to open the scoring.

This was a test of our character as we have not been a goal down since the opening game of the season, but after some good work on the wings, we were soon pressing Villa back. SCOTT MITCHELL scored the equaliser after a goal mouth scramble, after which the ref awarded a goal, although it was dubious as to whether the ball crossed the line.

At the end of the first twenty minutes it was 1-1.

A change was required and Cameron Gibson took over in goal, allowing Jack Kerr into midfield. We soon went 3-1 up through goals from SCOTT MITCHELL and DREW WATSON. At the start of the 3rd period Dean Arrol was making some great runs and passes down the right, but poor finishing led to the score staying the same.

Another break away led to our opponents getting a free kick near our corner flag, which from the resultant cross was headed in to make it 3-2.

Again the boys regrouped and SCOTT MITCHELL completed his hat trick to make it 4-2, with a great run from the half way line. The scoring was finished when Darren Smith delivered a great free kick for SCOTT MITCHELL to head his fourth goal of the game, a tally which would have won him man of the match, were it not for the performance of Dean Arrol at right back.

In the end it was a hard fought 5-2 victory. Hopefully, next week we will be able to field a full strength team for the first time this season with the antcipated return of James Kinniburgh in goals.