With the SFAI being the most recent concentration for our schoolboy teams, we have 4 of the 6 teams through to the last 32 of the National cup. Unfortunately our young U11’s went out of the competition last weekend but only on penalties, and the weekend before our U16’s went out when beaten by Hibs 1 nil.
It is a fantastic achievement for us and wish our U 12/13/14/15 teams all the best in the next round
U11 SFAI Cup
Freebooters 0 Villa A 0
Freebooters won on pens 5 - 4
Our U11 team bowed out of the SFAI cup to Freebooters from Kilkenny on penalties last weekend in Ozier park. Our lads were slow to settle in the first half on the big Ozier pitch and Freebooters made all the early running. We were thankful to some fine defending from Craig Brown and some excellent goalkeeping from Darragh Collopy to leave the game scoreless at half time. We improved a lot during the 2nd half but we found it difficult to get past a resolute Freebooters defence. The 2nd half flowed from end to end and from what chances we created we just could not get a final touch to put the ball in the net. The sixty minutes ended scoreless and the game went into extra time. Our lads gave their all in the extra time and were the dominant team during this period but could not get the goal that their display deserved. The game finally went to penalties which Freebooters won 5-4 after their goalkeeper made a fine save from a James Coad penalty. Our 4 scorers were Tommy Power, David Hobbs, Roy Butler and Craig Brown. Best of luck to Freebooters in the next round. Man of the match was Craig Brown ably assisted by Darragh Collopy and Greg Milne.
Thanks to the Junior League for the use of Ozier Park for this fixture.
U13 SFAI Cup
Clonmel Town 0 Villa 2
Where do we start , Clonmel Town victors over Bohs in dramatic fashion in the last round, they also beat us last year in Connors Park at the same stage of this competition. We travelled without services of Conor Coad, Danny Aherne and Evan O Donnell, all injured and Niall McCabe who got ill on way to match, but as I said before this team has plenty of heart and were ready for the battle.
In front of a large crowd with at least 50% of them loyal Villa supporters, the game was played in excellent conditions, on a beautiful surface We started from the kick off and harried our opposition, making them fight for every ball and not giving them time to play . We had the better of the opening exchanges and a move involving Tom Mullally ,Conor Sheahan , Walter Croke and Darren Finn was finished in spectacular fashion by Captain David Cooley . From the tip off our defence marshalled by Jamie Cross , Christian Cullen, Conor and Tom repelled everything, great tackles and very good use of the ball .Walter Dunphy put in big tackles and played brilliantly on his return from injury. Gavin O'Donovan ran and chased every ball and played some brilliant passes to the wings and was unluckly not to score 10 minutes from half time. Darren Finn worked hard up front , winning headers , and causing problems for the Clonmel defence at every moment. His partner Walter Croke had his best game in a Villa shirt , winning tackles , holding off bigger players and bringing Kenneth McEvoy into the game . Kenneth worked hard carrying the ball often 60 yards and creating danger for the opposition at every move. But in between Clonmel had numerous chances and Brandon O'Callaghan brought 2 fantastic saves in space of 5 mins to keep us ahead at half time.
We knew Clonmel would throw everything at us in the 2nd half and they did . But with Brandon in superb form along with a stalwart defence we had no need to worry .Our midfield battled hard and out front 2 ran their socks off. Both sides had chances and it was a ding dong battel , with the Villa playing some great football as well as defending .Kenneth McEvoy made a good run , beat 2 defenders but a great defending tackle saved Clonmel. We brought on Mark Walsh and Kareem Abdou with 10 mins left and they didn’t let us down , playing with the same determination as our original front players , With 3 mins left Conor Sheahan won a free , played short , the ball was worked out wide , Kenneth beat 2 defenders, cut in and let fly with his left foot , top corner and at last we could breathe. We played out the final few minutes and 5 mins extra time in style ..keeping the ball - final whistle 2-0 for the Villa . It must be said that the whole squad entered the game in the right frame of mind and in particular Austin Gleeson who was unlucky not to get on, but encouraged all the players throughout the game , he is a corner stone of the u-12 team and a vital part of our squad. Man of the Match : Everybody but a special mention to the 2 Walters//Croke and Dunphy... ( and Coaches Larry O Donovan, Eddie Widger & Ken McEvoy Snr)
U15 SFAI Cup
Hanover Harps 2 Villa 4
Our 15 team also progressed to the last 32 of the SFAI Cup which was played in Carlow last Saturday in not such great conditions, with a gale force wind to contend with. We went 1 down after 5 mins giving away a sloppy goal, but levelled the match after another 10 mins with Jack Gaule finding the back of the net with a very powerful shot. We went 2-1 up after 20 mins when Kevin Feely forced a shot past the Carlow keeper from 8 yards out. We went in at half time 2-1 up.
We played a lot better in the second half, bearing in mind this Carlow team were very strong and physical and competed well, and our keeper David Richardson pulled off a couple of very fine saves to keep us in the lead.
Eoin Kindlon got our third goal with a beautiful angled shot from the right hand side, from a Jack Kavanagh cross, giving the keeper absolutely no chance.
Hanover Harps were awarded a dubious penalty when Andrew Baxter cleanly won the ball, bringing the score to 3-2. But our defence of Adam Potter, Wayne Robinson, Tom O Brien and Andrew Baxter held strong and gave a very good performance.
Brian Mc Donald who linked up well with Jack Gaule got the fourth goal when he got on the end of a long ball from Wayne Robinson, saw the keeper off his line and he chipped him from 20 yards.
Good to see Stephen O Keeffe back in the centre of midfield and overall a very solid display from the team, who now await to see their fate in February after the open draw takes place.
Under 15 League
Johnville 2 Villa B 3
In awful weather conditions we put in an awful first half performance and found ourselves two down at the break. We got ourselves going in the second half and Stuart Quilty pulled the first back after 5 minutes of the half. While we dominated possession, we didn't equalise until ten minutes from the end when Sam Harris finished off a superb cross from Kevin Flynn. Two minutes later Conn Kirby scored the winner to complete a terrific comeback. On the day, Paul Mates performance in midfield and the bravery of stand in 'keeper Ben Cross to make a save at 2-2 were outstanding.
1B League
Ballinroad 1 Villa 2
We took all three points from this top of the table clash. Kevin Jordan scored the opener in the first half and Danny Walsh added a second after the break. Ballinroad scored late in the game to give us a nervous finish.
Kennedy Cup Squad
Well done to our 6 players who were selected on the Kennedy Cup Squad for 2007/2008, namely Kenneth McEvoy, Conor Coad, David Cooley, Gavin O Donovan, Jamie Cross and Daniel Aherne.
Villa Shop
The shop will open this Saturday 8th December in the clubhouse in Connors Park from 10am to 12am. Any orders for Christmas can also be taken on the day.
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