TT No.52: Ian Brown - Sat 10 January 2015: The Bay West Lancashire Football League Premier Division;        Euxton Villa 2 -0  Eagley; Attendance: 66; No admission or programme

Decisions, decisions, decisions, with my usual travelling companions not about; Messrs Merry & Leigh having fun in the winter sunshine in Barcelona and Mr Magic incommunicado as to where to go. I decided  to venture into the West Lancashire League, to do some grounds which I hadn’t done. The wet weather we had in the North West did its best to decrease my options and do a re-visit. 

First choice game @ Lytham fell by the wayside. So on the bus journey from Liverpool up to Preston, kept checking on the West Lancs Website, second choice  Lostock St Gerards also fell foul of the weather, then I noticed on Twitter that Euxton had tweeted 'Game On'. Luckily for me I had decided earlier in the week to do some travel plans.

To get to Euxton Villa by bus from Pretston, I caught the Stagecoach 115 service destination Chorley @ 12.30, alighting at Runshaw College  just after ten past one, which was ideal as it was a 2pm ko, also with being only every 2 hours.  From there it was a 10 minute walk to ground.

A Little Piece Of History Euxton F.C - Circa 1983 renamed as Euxton Villa F.C the following season. Euxton Villa was formed in the 1907-1908 season and played in the West Lancashire League until 1910 as far as the records can be found. They then progressed into the Preston & District League winning many titles along the way. After the war the club became known as Euxton FC. and they played on many grounds because of the poor conditions of Greenside playing fields, in Euxton itself. The club has played home games at Croston, Leyland, Chorley as well as being nomadic for a few seasons. ‘Euxton’ and another local team ‘Euxton Albion’ played on a ground just off Runshaw Lane, where the shops are now we’re told. This all changed in 1986 when Euxton managed to purchase their own land in Runshaw Hall Lane, Euxton. From this land they managed to create three full size pitches, a junior pitch and small training areas. In 1988 Euxton amalgamated with Euxton Villa Juniors to become known as Euxton Villa FC.

Hot drinks and pies were available from the clubhouse set back behind one of the goals at a reasonable price 70p for a hot drink served in a mug,  small sausage rolls 60p and pasties available £1.40, the people there were very welcoming.

The Euxton pitch survived the elements for the game to go ahead but on a cold blustery Saturday afternoon fourth placed Euxton started very brightly on their wide pitch, passing the ball around well and using their pace and youth to their advantage, and after only six minutes a great through ball saw Daniel Hogg round the onrushing Eagley keeper and slot it home for one nil.

In the second half  Eagley were much better, creating chances with Simon Whaley (ex Bury and PNE) just shooting wide, but they struggled to get that illusive goal equaliser. But Euxton kept up the pressure and a good cross into the box ended up at the feet of Andrew Leggett who from close range made no mistake for two nil and sealed the win.

In the last few minutes Eagley midfielder Craig Coote made a rash challenge earning himself his second yellow card and an early bath!

On leaving the ground I noticed  that there was a bus stop not far from the entrance, during the latter part of the game I noticed that bus which would have been the 2.30pm (from Preston to Chorley) went past the ground 15 minutes late and I hadn’t seen it come back (it was due at the bus stop 15.43), but as it was closer to five to four, I decided to wait a few minutes just in case,  I was only there for about a couple minutes and it turned up, saving about a half hour walk.

Got back into Preston and caught  the 17.15 2X/X2 back into Liverpool, with a stop off at the Ship & Mitre before  jumping the bus back across the water. 

contributed on 14/01/15