Abbey Villa F.C 2nds And Aquinas 2nds Share Spoils In Thrilling Draw

Abbey Villa F.C 2nds hosted Aquinas 2nds at Adams Park, Millisle, on 28 December 2024, in a gripping league encounter that ended in a 1-1 stalemate. The match kicked off at 2:00pm, with both teams eager to secure vital points in their league campaigns.

Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Ross Murray stationed in goal, while a defensive line comprised of James Edwards, Joshua Colville, Matthew Edwards, and Curtis Shannon provided a solid back four. In midfield, Daniel McFarland, Marcus McGrath, and Mark Gilliland were tasked with controlling the centre of the pitch, supporting both the defence and attack. Up front, the trio of Curtis Williamson, Mathew Burke, and Kyle Irwin aimed to exploit the width and create goal-scoring opportunities.

The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Daniel Beach, James Boyd, and Jude Strain, all of whom were poised to make an impact from the bench if called upon.

The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, but it was Abbey Villa who struck first. In the 21st minute, Kyle Irwin showcased his skill with a stunning long-range lob that left the Aquinas goalkeeper stranded, giving Abbey Villa a 1-0 lead. The home side's confidence surged, and they looked to build on their advantage.

However, Aquinas responded with determination. Just eleven minutes later, in the 32nd minute, they equalised in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. A deflectrd strike from outside the box, caught the Abbey Villa defence off guard, bringing the score to 1-1 and shifting the momentum back to the visitors.

As the first half drew to a close, both teams had their chances, but neither could find the back of the net again before the referee signalled for half-time.

The second half saw Abbey Villa make a few tactical changes to regain control of the match. In the 61st minute, Daniel Beach replaced Marcus McGrath, aiming to inject fresh energy into the midfield. Shortly after, in the 70th minute, James Boyd came on for Mathew Burke, as Abbey Villa sought to bolster their attacking options.

The substitutions continued, with Jude Strain entering the fray for Curtis Williamson in the 73rd minute, further emphasising Abbey Villa's intent to push for a winning goal. Despite their efforts and several attempts to break the deadlock, the match remained level.

Curtis Shannon was a standout performer for Abbey Villa, demonstrating leadership and composure throughout the match, earning him the accolade of Man of the Match.

As the final whistle blew, both teams were left to reflect on a hard-fought draw, with Abbey Villa F.C 2nds and Aquinas 2nds each taking a point from this competitive league fixture. The result leaves both sides with plenty to ponder as they look ahead to their upcoming matches.

MOTM: Curtis Shannon ??