In a commanding display, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds triumphed over Aquinas 2nds with a scoreline of 2-0 in their league encounter at Rathmore Grammar School on 24 April 2025. The match kicked off at 6:45pm, and Abbey Villa's performance was marked by early goals that set the tone for the evening.
Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while also providing width and attacking options. Ross Murray took his position in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of James Edwards on the right, Joshua Colville and Matthew Edwards in central defence, and Curtis Shannon on the left. The midfield trio featured Marcus McGrath on the right, Louis Gault-Reid centrally, and Daniel McFarland on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, Mark Gilliland and Kyle Irwin occupied the flanks, with Carson Mann leading the line as the central striker.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Curtis Williamson, Jake Rainey, and Jimbo King, who would later be called upon to influence the match as it progressed.
The match began with Abbey Villa asserting their dominance early on. In the 15th minute, Carson Mann opened the scoring, converting a well-placed pass from Mark Gilliland with an excellent right foot finish. This goal injected confidence into the Abbey Villa side, who continued to press for more.
Just five minutes later, in the 20th minute, Mark Gilliland doubled the lead, finishing from close range after a shot from Marcus McGrath was parried. With a two-goal cushion, Abbey Villa looked comfortable, controlling the tempo of the game and limiting Aquinas's chances.
As the first half progressed, Ross Murray was called into action, making a crucial dive at the feet of an Aquinas attacker in the 22nd minute, showcasing his reflexes and composure. He repeated this feat again in the 31st minute, demonstrating his importance to the team as he kept a clean sheet intact.
James Edwards had a chance to extend the lead further in the 38th minute but saw his header go wide of the target. As the half drew to a close, Curtis Shannon made a vital block in the 44th minute, preventing a potential goal-scoring opportunity for Aquinas, ensuring Abbey Villa went into the break with their two-goal advantage.
The second half began with Abbey Villa maintaining their defensive solidity. Matthew Edwards made an important interception in the 50th minute, further stifling Aquinas's attempts to mount a comeback.
In the 65th minute, Abbey Villa made their first substitution, bringing on Curtis Williamson for Kyle Irwin in a tactical switch aimed at bolstering their midfield presence. Shortly after, in the 68th minute, Ross Murray showcased his goalkeeping prowess again by catching a cross, demonstrating his command of the area.
Further tactical changes were made in the 70th minute, with Jake Rainey replacing Marcus McGrath and Jimbo King coming on for Carson Mann. These substitutions aimed to inject fresh energy into the side as they sought to maintain their lead.
James Edwards had another opportunity in the 74th minute but once again failed to find the target, sending his header wide. Daniel McFarland also tried his luck in the 79th minute, but his effort similarly went astray, as Abbey Villa looked to add to their tally.
As the match neared its conclusion, Ross Murray was called into action once more in the 86th minute, executing another impressive dive at the feet of an Aquinas player, ensuring his side's clean sheet remained intact.
The final whistle confirmed Abbey Villa F.C 2nds' victory, a result that highlighted their strong performance and tactical discipline throughout the match. Louis Gault-Reid was named Man of the Match for his influential role in midfield, contributing to both the defensive and attacking phases of play. Though a special mention to Ross Murray who was exceptional in goal.
