Linby CW win on return to action

Villa are managed by former Linby Manager Tris Whitman and coach Dave Jayes , and had five former Linby players, in their ranks for the match.

Manager Andy Tring made changes to the Linby starting line up, Reserves striker Matty Toseland, was in for the unavailable top scorer James Hallam, with Tom Eastwood accompanying him in attack.

Understandably it was a slow start, after the month lay-off, with not being able to even train together, so the game took a while to come to life.

It wasn’t until the 23rd minute, that Linby fashioned a chance, Tom Hilton and Brad Newby combining to release Sean Craven, but his shot was comfortably saved by ex-Linby Keeper Ben Smith.

Newby tried his luck from 25 yards, but an excellent save from Smith denied the Linby schemer on 27 minutes.

Jack James came close twice, in the space of two minutes with towering headers from corners, as Linby continued to knock at the door.

Linby finally found the breakthrough on 37 minutes when Newby’s searching cross to the far post found left-back Jamie Thomas, who guided his downward header into the bottom corner.

A minute later, another Newby cross, found Tom Hilton at the far post, but this time Smith pulled off a good save to deny Linby a second goal.

Linby’s movement and energy was starting to prove too much for the visitors, the trio of Tom Hilton, Newby and Craven, combined with the running power of full backs Thomas and Ben Hilton meant it would only be a matter of time before they made the game safe.

Toseland doubled the lead on 55 minutes after Tom Hilton combined with Craven.

And it was three seven minutes later when Craven pounced on a mistake by Smith, the Linby man showing a deft touch to round the keeper and roll the ball into an empty net.

A measure of Linbys dominance was shown, when in the 74th minute, substitute Carl Spencer registered Villa’s first shot on target, which was saved by Jack Leverton.

LINE UP. Leverton, B.Hilton, Jones, Tring(C), Thomas, James, T.Hilton, Craven, Newby, Eastwood, Toseland.

Subs. Everton (for Toseland 65m), Brookes (for Craven 75m), O’Dowd (for Newby 75m)

MAN OF THE MATCH. Tom Hilton.