Abbey Villa F.C 2nds travelled to East Park on 13 September 2025 for a league away fixture against East Belfast 2nds, kicking off at 2:00pm. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after a fiercely contested 90 minutes plus injury time. Both sides shared the spoils in a game marked by persistent fouling and a late equaliser from Abbey Villa.
Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, deploying a back four of James Edwards at right back, Jake Rainey and Joshua Colville as central defenders, and Curtis Shannon on the left. The midfield trio consisted of Mark Gilliland on the right, Louis Gault-Reid centrally, and Marcus McGrath on the left, tasked with both defensive duties and supporting the attack. Up front, Thomas Drysdale operated as the right forward, Carson Mann led the line as the striker, and Kyle Irwin played on the left. This setup was designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking width and creativity. On the bench, Abbey Villa had Mathew Burke, James Boyd, and James King available for tactical changes.
The match began with both teams showing intent, but it was Abbey Villa’s Thomas Drysdale who first drew attention. In the 21st minute, Drysdale was booked for persistent infringements, a sign of his aggressive approach. A minute later, he tested the East Belfast goalkeeper with a shot that was well saved. East Belfast responded in kind, receiving a yellow card for similar persistent fouling in the 22nd minute.
Abbey Villa’s attacking threat continued as Kyle Irwin attempted a shot in the 26th minute, which went wide of the target. However, the physicality of the game was evident as James Edwards picked up a yellow card in the 29th minute for persistent fouling, followed by Marcus McGrath receiving a caution in the 33rd minute for similar reasons. Carson Mann’s efforts to break the deadlock were thwarted when his attempt in the 36th minute flew high over the bar.
The first half concluded without any goals, but with a clear pattern of aggressive play and several cautions. Early in the second half, Mann again tried his luck in the 48th minute but sent his shot over the crossbar. Kyle Irwin came close in the 52nd minute when his strike hit the post, signalling Abbey Villa’s growing pressure.
The game took a pivotal turn in the 54th minute when Joshua Colville was penalised for a push inside the penalty area, conceding a penalty to East Belfast. The visitors’ goalkeeper Ben McConkey was left helpless as East Belfast converted from the spot in the 55th minute to take the lead. The physical nature of the match continued as East Belfast players received three more yellow cards in quick succession at 56, 60, and 62 minutes for persistent infringements.
Abbey Villa responded with tactical substitutions to regain control. At 65 minutes, Mathew Burke replaced Carson Mann to inject fresh energy up front. Three minutes later, James Boyd came on for Mark Gilliland, and shortly after, James King replaced Marcus McGrath in midfield. These changes aimed to bolster the midfield and attacking options.
The substitutions paid dividends as Louis Gault-Reid tested the East Belfast keeper in the 69th minute with a saved effort. James Edwards also forced a save from the opposition goalkeeper in the 79th minute, showing Abbey Villa’s determination to find an equaliser.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87th minute when Thomas Drysdale scored from inside the box, finishing a short pass from Louis Gault-Reid to level the match. This goal was a fitting reward for Drysdale’s persistent efforts throughout the game, earning him the player of the match accolade.
Despite further attempts, neither side could find a winner, and the match ended 1-1. Abbey Villa’s resilience and tactical adjustments ensured they left East Park with a valuable point after a hard-fought encounter.
