Villa stunned OC’s with a stunning second half 4 goal comeback to progress into the 3rd round of the County Junior Cup following an opening 20 minute period that looked highly unlikely when going 3 nil down.
With OC’s being the only team to have defeated Villa this season payback was high on the agenda in the pre match team talk but that looked to be all it was as Villa started poorly allowing OC’s to dictate the play. Their reward came after only 3 minutes when an OC’s player drew a rash challenge from Wayne Pike with the referee rightly pointing to the spot. With the penalty dispatched it was soon 2-0 following a header from a corner on 10 minutes which Steve Webb was unable to keep out of the top corner.
Villas usual composure at the back was in tatters and it was ripped further to shreds when Dave Cornwell missed a tackle on the touchline and the home sides winger made himself time and space to find his centre forward unmarked on the edge of the penalty area. With acres of space and time himself he coolly smashed the ball high and wide of Gav Woolfendens despairing dive and into the net.
Villa now found themselves with a mountain to club but to their credit they started to take the game to OC’s with nothing to lose. Whether OC’s thought the game was won or Villa were starting to impose themselves the momentum started to change slightly and for better finishing Villa could and probably should have scored a couple of goals in return before the half time whistle sounded.
With the improvement visibly being seen the half time hairdryer was only used on a luke warm setting and the tea cups remained intact. The managers words were simple, “go out and impose yourself on the opposition, the next goal is important and regain your pride,” no body present would have used betfair at half time putting money on a Villa win !
The same 11 were sent back out to rescue the situation and within minutes it was clear to see that Villa were on top limiting OC’s to long searching balls forward. Villa had resorted to a 4-4-2 formation with Agar-Hutton dropping in at left back and yet again didn’t disappoint his team mates with yet another MOM display. Everything was being mopped and swept up now and attacks were being started from here on in, one of them led to Terling pulling a goal back. Wayne Pike broke up an attack and arrowed a long ball forward to Woolfenden who with his back to goal spun his marker, who had got under the bouncing ball and smashed the ball past the home stopper.
Woolfenden should have done better shortly after when the impressive Alex Milne, who had moved to right midfield, found him in the penalty box. Unfortunately the usually reliable target man found his sights slightly off and shot agonisingly wide. Milne was to be involved again shortly after when Woolfenden returned the compliment and Milnes top corner bound shot was expertly turned around the post. However, he was soon to find the target.
Villa were pushing forward at every opportunity now and OC’s were clearly being sapped of their energy as Villa got stronger, reward for their gruelling pre-season fitness sessions. Following a nice inter change of passes with Cracknell on the edge of the area Milne continued his run into the box and when the ball was returned into his path Milne hit a sweet volley at goal. The keeper was equal to this though and parried the ball out but Milne continued to move forward and as the ball bounced up off of the line he was first to meet it and headed the ball over the line.
Villa were now well on top and OC’s were buckling under the pressure with their management constantly changing their personnel to try and regain some momentum. Villa themselves made two changes with Campbell Thompson and Scott Winning entering the fray and both came on and gave great performances from the off giving OC’s no rest bite. Villa were winning an enormous amounts of corners now from the immense pressure being imposed and but for a bit of luck could have been level before they actually did get the equaliser. It was no surprise when it came from a corner.
Rik Cridland had been given orders to warm up and with manager Purser about to withdraw Chris Collins to give fresh legs a run, Villa were awarded a corner. Purser held fire on the substitution until after the set piece, a decision that proved fruitful. Villas set pieces were proving dangerous and OC’s were to be finally punished when unable to clear their lines they could only half clear with the ball falling to that man Collins on the edge of the penalty area. Setting himself Collins shot at goal and the ball evaded all in front of it as it nestled just inside the post and into the net. It was a surreal moment and both manager and Cridland laughed with the midfield man putting his tracksuit back on with a wry smile on his face.
There was only going to be one winner now if Villa kept up this momentum but OC’s to their credit huffed and puffed and still looked dangerous on the rare occurrence they went forward. Gav Woolfenden was on hand to deal with anything when the back 4 were breached though.
Extra time was now on the cards and thoughts were now edging towards the team talk for the extra 30 minutes when Villa were once again awarded a corner with the keeper saving an 88th minute effort. From the resulting corner an incredulous goalmouth scramble ensued with the ball crossing the line for what seemed to be a Villa winner. Unbelievably referee John Hayto did not only see this but also failed to see an OC’s defender diving back towards his goal to scoop the ball out of the net with both hands. Credit however to the home clubs assistant who did inform the referee following a discussion that the handball had occurred and a penalty was awarded. Why the man in black failed to send the OC’s defender off though, only he would know.
With every confidence Tris Woolfenden picked up the ball and placed it on the spot. The Villa number 9 had won points for his side on numerous occasions with his billowing bag of goals but unfortunately it wasn’t to be added to with his well struck kick being well saved by the goalkeeper down to his left hand post. Villa couldn’t force home the loose ball and the whistle sounded soon after to end the incredible second half performance.
The restart was delayed a little longer than usual as the OC’s keeper had treatment on an injured hand gained from the penalty save and while a bandage was being applied Villa got on with their team talk. One of the easiest ever had to be given, Villa knew they were now going to win this game, they just had to ensure they did !
Villas second half exertions were now taking its toll with a couple of players cramping up and changes were made to try and keep the squad fresh and the momentum going. Villa were not to let their efforts go unrewarded and were ahead halfway through the first period with a real piece of quality.
Alex Milne, who had caused OC’s problems from the right hand side with his quality of crossing ever since the early switch there in the game found himself tied up in the corner by the home sides impressive full back. Gaining control of the ball and not rushing he twisted and turned himself into a position where he went past his man on the byline and found Jamie Cracknell just inside the box. With all around praying the Villa man would take a touch in space rather than shooting first time, he did just that and in quick succession his second touch whipped the ball across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Pandemonium broke out on the pitch with all but Gav Woolfenden appearing to mob the goal scorer in a ruck more akin to the game played with the funny shape ball. Villa were ahead and they had to keep it this way.
The game was livened further when a mass brawl broke out following an incorrect decision against Jamie Cracknell when the Villa man was adjudged by the home linesman to be offside and once the embers had died down the home keeper and Daz Douglas were cautioned for their altercations.
The whistle sounded for half time and the following 15 minutes saw Villa hold out with consummate ease as OC’s were down and out fitness wise and morally beaten up too.
