Villa overpower the Musselmen

Under the lights on a Friday night at the home of the Sussex FA, Culver Road, the Villa took all three points against the Musselmen.

Shoreham were sitting fourth in the SCFL U23 West Division and were expecting at least a point coming into this away game.

Villa started well on the 4G pitch and the surface is perfect for playing on the ground. The problem with playing it around the back as so many Premier League teams have discovered is that it concedes more negative opportunities than positive. Just ask any Spurs fans.

The new Villa manager and lifelong Seagulls fan, Paul Fowler has hit the ground running and is doing a superb job. His ethos is,“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard”. His team was setup to win and were able to attack down the flanks. Jordan Dearing, the away team goalkeeper was in fine form and was commanding the area and was able to intercept some early crosses.

The first goal went to the Musselmen after a great move through the middle. Harley Damario, the BN Dons Sunday League player didn’t take long to get off the mark. The prolific baby faced assassin is having a great season in front of goal.

The home side were stunned but it didn’t take them too much time to score an equaliser. Alfie Goble, fresh from scoring a Puskas Award nominated stunning goal against Nutley FC, found the net again.

At 1-1 and with the game going deep into the closing stages, there were chances for both teams. Don Street had a few opportunities for the away team, but it wasn’t until the 75th minute when the Villa went ahead.

Villa were awarded a penalty, and the man of the match, Goble stepped forward. He was calm and confident and struck the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

The Musselmen gave it a real go to find an equaliser but the Villa defence held out. Fowler was delighted with the win which puts them up to 6th in the table. Next up, Shoreham play Peacehaven and Villa take on Wick, both are cup games.