The squad for the oranges was Aaron, Liam (c), Malachy, Joe, Alex Owen, Alex Rothwell and Stuart.
The first game was against Penwortham Town and it was stressed to the boys the importance of starting the game quickly, looking to attack from the off whilst remembering that they all had a job to do defensively, getting back and closing down when we didn't have the ball. The boys did exactly this and put in a great performance where Aaron didn't have a shot to save. Villa got their noses in front with a well worked goal from the left hand side of midfield where Joe cut the ball inside from the byline before hitting a lovely cross the back post for Mal to sweep home. Mal then returned the favour with a powerful cross from right to left that Joe finished well from close distance for 2-0. The boys worked every so hard for each other, closed down brilliantly and when in possession looked to get forward and attack.
The second game saw us play Lancon and once again, like in the last two tournaments, it was a close encounter. Villa had the best two chances of the game but the excellent Lancon keeper made great saves from both Al and Joe, with the last being an absolute blinder. Villa were unlucky not to win but Lancon deserved their draw with some superb defending. The boys again worked hard for each, closed down when not in possession and when in possession, were using the space well with some nice passing and movement. This is what the boys had been asked to do and it was good to see them enjoying the game. Final score 0-0.
Game three was against Bamber Bridge where again it was stressed to the boys the importance of being first to any loose balls and to close down, especially around the box. Villa started well and were looking tidy in posession whilst Joe always looked a threat when getting wide. Malachy and Liam were defending well and Alex Owen was working hard up front. Bamber Bridge are a good side though and took advantage when Villa failed to clear a ball and a powerful shot was drilled into the corner of Aaron's goal. The boys heads never dropped and again, they did exactly what was asked of them. Joe won a ball on the edge of his own area before looking up and playing a great ball that put Alex clean through. As Joe played the ball he was caught accidentally by the Bamber Bridge player and was clearly hurt and as Alex beared down on goal the ref rightly stopped the game to make sure Joe was ok. It was tough on Al who had made a great run. The game stayed at 1-0 but despite the result, the boys can take great heart from a good team performance.
Game four was against Ormskirk who took Villa by surprise by racing into a 3-0 lead. Again the boys heads never dropped and despite the score, they kept going and were unlucky not to score. Alex Rothwell and Stuart never stopped running in midfield and Aaron was unlucky with a couple of the goals. As I said to the boys after the game though, you can learn more from losing than winning and this game showed the boys how important it is to always close down, to stay with the man even if you can't get a tackle in and, when we win the ball back, to keep our heads up, looking to pass the ball and to keep moving to find space. I asked the boys to remember all this and to give it their all in the last game.
Game five was against Leyland Albion and the boys were exceptional, putting in their best performance of the tournament. They played with confidence, did everything that they were asked to and ran out 4-0 winners. Stuart started the scoring by chasing a ball into the area and poked the ball through the keepers legs for 1-0. It was a well deserved goal for Stewie who had been asked to never give up and to keep chasing and closing down. Alex Owen then scored with a cracking finish after being set up by Joe and then Al turned provider with a lovely weighted pass that put Joe clean through. Joe's finish was sublime as he dropped a shoulder to dink the ball past the keeper before rollling the ball into an empty goal. There was still time for Al to grab his second with another well taken goal before Alex Rothwell came on for Stuart and again did well.
Every one of the boys played their part and can be proud of how well they played and how hard they worked. The boys listened before and after each game and certainly they all got their reward in the last game with a great team performance. Man of the tournament is shared between Alex Owen and Joe. Some of their link up play and passing was great to watch and they both scored some cracking goals too. Well done boys

Another well done to our other side in today's tournament. Steve and the boys had some good results and reading the match reports it sounds as though they've enjoyed their games and played some good football. Well done Luke for being the man of the tournament. Only I though could enter a team as Euxton Villa Blacks and make them play in white

See you at training Monday
Phil