Abbey Villa F.C 2nds Fall To Crumlin Star 2nds In Thrilling 3-2 Defeat

NAFL 3A Result:

Abbey Villa 2nds 2 v 3 Crumlin Star 2nds

Goals:

James Boyd ?

Jake Rainey ?

The match began with Villa showing intent in attack. James Boyd had an early attempt on goal in the 10th minute, but his effort sailed high over the bar. Seven minutes later, Kyle Irwin also tried his luck from distance, but his shot was similarly off target, flying high. Despite these early signs of attacking threat, it was Star who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a composed finish inside the box, giving the visitors the lead.

Villa responded well and were rewarded in the 35th minute when James Boyd struck with a deflected cross from outside the area, levelling the scores. This goal injected fresh energy into the home side as the half progressed. The first half concluded with Star receiving a yellow card for a push off the ball just before the interval, a few other unnoticed infractions added a tense edge to the contest before the break.

The second half saw Villa pushing forward in search of the lead. Kyle Irwin tested the Crumlin Star goalkeeper again in the 54th minute, but his shot was well saved. Tactical changes followed with Carson Mann replacing James Boyd in the 61st minute, Jake Rainey coming on for James Edwards four minutes later, and Mark Gilliland entering for Thomas Drysdale shortly after in the 68th minute. These substitutions aimed to refresh the side and alter the dynamics in attack and defence.

However, Villa’s challenge was hampered by a yellow card shown to Louis Gault-Reid in the 71st minute for pulling back the opposing player, which added pressure down the left side of defence. Despite this, Daniel McFarland then forced a save from the opposition goalkeeper in the 73rd minute, then the rebounding ball fell to Mark Gilliland, who came agonisingly close to scoring when his shot hit the post.

Star regained the lead in the 74th minute with another avoidable goal from inside the box, once again putting Villa on the back foot. Yet, the home side showed resilience as Jake Rainey struck a a wicked cross in the 86th minute from outside the area, it was too hot to handle for the visiting keeper. This leveled the match once more.

Villa continued to press in the closing stages, with Daniel McFarland firing wide in the 88th minute and then a super corner moments later, delivered by Kyle Irwin saw Louis Gault-Reid’s bullet header blocked off the line in the 90th minute. Unfortunately for the home side, Star snatched a late winner in the 92nd minute with a goal sealing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. "Cue the champions elect" celebrations at the end. Fair play to Star though. They hung in there and snatched all 3 points on the day. A hard one to take, but Villa need to lick there wounds and look to bounce back hard for the remainder of the season now. We can definitely take solice that our 2 league defeats have come against the 2 in form, and currently undefeated sides in the league.

Kyle Irwin’s work rate and attacking threat earned him the man of the match for Villa, despite the narrow defeat on the day. Villa will rue missed chances and defensive lapses but can take heart from their spirited performance at Adams Park.

MOTM: Kyle Irwin