| |
|
|
U-12 SFAI Cup
Villa 1 De La Salle 1
Villa won 4 v 2 on penalties
Our U-12 progressed to the next round of the national cup when they overcame De La Salle
in a very tight and tense game in Connors Park on Saturday morning. Played in windy conditions, this was a tight game throughout, with most of the play battled out in the midfield with no quarter given.
We created the only chance of the first half when Gavin Jacobs effort from a Mark Walsh cross was brilliantly saved by the visitors goalkeeper. The first half drew to a close scoreless. The second half was much the same, with us never being able to get our passing game going. De La Salle took the lead when sloppy defending allowed their centre forward to poke the ball home. We kept battling away and drew level when a Tommy Power free kick went in over the goalkeepers head. The game remained tight to the end of normal time.
Extra time was a tense and tight affair with neither side finding the all important goal.
And so to penalties, we took some very good penalties with Tommy Power, Mark Walsh, Tadgh Whelan and Liam Coonagh converting but star of the show was Adam Donovan who produced two brilliant saves.
Overall, the performances must improve, we must learn to play football at all times, even when under intense pressure but with the difficult conditions, we battled hard for the right result. Well done lads.
Best for Villa were Adam Donovan, Austin Gleeson, Lee Crowley, Mark Walsh, Liam Coonagh
U 14 SFAI Cup
St Michaels 1 Villa 6
The result of this game would not have been expected in the first half as St Michaels were a good, strong physical side who put us under pressure and closed us down very well. We did take the lead in the first few minutes when Jonathon McEvoy scored his first of four goals, but we had to work hard and fight for every ball. Kenneth McEvoy made it 2 nil after a great run down the right hand side, but the home side got one back just before half time from a corner which we defended poorly and were punished by an excellent finish into the top corner. The second half was a different game and a further 3 goals from Jonathon and 1 more from Kenneth McEvoy made it a very convincing win in the end.
This was a real team performance with Barry Power and Kevin Flynn having to cope with 2 very tough midfielders, Aaron Galibert had a constant battle with their Centre half but had some nice link up play with Jonathon. David Cooley ran and played his heart out for the full 70 minutes, creating 2 of the goals. A very strong performance from the back line of Jamie Cross, Mark Hobbs, Gavin O Donovan and Eoin Kindlon, with Marc Weldon on goal who played his part when called on.
Our subs of Daniel Aherne, Con Kirby, Gracious Byavu and Christian Cullen all played very well when brought on in the second half.
Through to the last 32 of the National Cup now and will have some strong tests ahead no doubt, but again well done to the team and Managers Liam Butler, Nicky Denn and Freddie Robinson.
SFAI U16 Cup
Villa 0 Hibs 1
We disappointingly exited the national competition and with it suffered our first defeat of the season
Unfortunately at this level of competition, you cannot afford to start slowly and did just this, standing off our visitors and allowing them time and space. We paid the penalty on 8 minutes, when a through ball was missed and despite a weak shot it bobbled its way into the bottom corner.
This woke us up a little, but in fairness the first half was very poor in nearly every department and although we created a few chances, we deserved to be trailing at the break.
We did inject some urgency into our play during the second half and tried and tried to get back on level terms. Full credit must go to the Hibs defence, who despite being under pressure stood firm and made it a very hard day for out front two, allowing them virtually no chances.
With time ticking away we thought we would grab an equaliser as we kept going forward, but despite hitting the post and blasting wide from inside the 6 yard box, it just was not to be.
So our cup run is over and must now be forgotten. We now need to re-group and concentrate on the league, where we remain unbeaten and are in a good position to challenge for honours.
FAI Youth Cup Villa 4 Freebooters 1
Freebooters came with a big reputation but a tremendous performance from the youth team saw us through. We opened the scoring with a minute to half time when Danny Walsh converted from the penalty spot after Darren White was fouled. Freebooters levelled immediately to leave it 1-1 at half time. Thomas Croke put us 2-1 ahead after 55 minutes and a Danny Walsh header with 15 left made it 3-1. Danny completed his hat-trick with a second penalty in the closing minutes.
Under 16 League Stradbally 0 Villa B 9
Goals from Jack Kavanagh (3), Stephen Cleere (2), Brian McDonald (2), Thomas O'Brien and Matthew Gavin saw us ease to victory in Stradbally.
1B League Red Star 2 Villa 3
A good win with goals from an OG, Kevin Jordan and Adam Gallagher earning a valuable three points.
3rd Division League Kilmacow 0 Villa 4
David Butler, Gary Sinnott (2) and Niall Hoban scored to take the points in Kilmacow.
Munster Night
The annual Munster night takes place in the Munster Bar on Friday next 30th November.
|
|
|
Return to News menu
|
|
|
