AN early first-half effort from Harvey Sample was enough to give the Villagers their first victory of the season as they beat Cheadle Heath Nomads on Saturday afternoon.

Liam Page made a couple of changes in response to the midweek defeat to Ashville with captain Will Avon and Jorge Dwyer returning, and keeper Dylan Cross came in for Arran Lyons.

Sample’s effort was the difference in a tight first half that saw very little in the way of goalmouth action with both sides struggling in the extreme heat.

A determined and organised backline line led by Avon ensured that the home side were limited to little throughout the afternoon with keeper Cross keeping a clean sheet on his return to first-team action.

Speaking after the game Page was delighted with the win: “It was a big effort to come here and win especially after the loss at Ashville and then the conditions meant it was tough to play our game.”

He added: “We now need to put together a run of wins together with the season still settling down. We know that the next few weeks will determine how the season goes for us.”

Next up is a return to Townfield Lane on Saturday afternoon with the Villagers hosting Cammell Laird 1907 with kick off at 3pm.

Team: Cross, Ball, Hunt (Dwyer), Avon, Scoullar, Jones, Levey (Holmes), Lewis Edwards (Hutchins), Levey, Kennington (Duffy), Avies (Garbutt), Sample.

Attendance: 46