In a tense league encounter at Glenkeen Avenue on 17 April 2025, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds edged past Greenisland F.C 2nds with a final score of 1-0. The match, which kicked off at 6:30pm, saw both teams battle fiercely, but it was Abbey Villa who emerged victorious thanks to a late goal.
Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Ross Murray stationed in goal. The back four consisted of James Edwards and Curtis Shannon as the right and left defenders, respectively, while Joshua Colville and Matthew Edwards anchored the central defence. In midfield, Marcus McGrath operated on the right, Jake Rainey took up a central role, and Jimbo King provided width on the left. Up front, Daniel McFarland and Kyle Irwin flanked striker Carson Mann, who led the line.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Mark Gilliland, Thomas Drysdale, and Curtis Williamson, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.
The first half saw Abbey Villa create several opportunities, with Daniel McFarland attempting a shot in the 22nd minute that soared high over the bar. Just two minutes later, Marcus McGrath received a yellow card for dissent. As the half unfolded, Joshua Colville made a crucial interception in the 28th minute, preventing a potential chance for Greenisland. Matthew Edwards followed suit with a vital block in the 36th minute, showcasing Abbey Villa's defensive resilience.
As the first half drew to a close, Kyle Irwin tested the Greenisland goalkeeper with a saved effort in the 37th minute, ensuring that Abbey Villa went into the break with their heads held high.
The second half commenced with a dramatic moment as Ross Murray made a point-blank reaction save in the 54th minute, denying Greenisland an early equaliser. However, the match took a turn in the 61st minute when Jake Rainey had to be substituted due to injury, with Mark Gilliland coming on to fill the void.
Abbey Villa continued to press, and in the 64th minute, James Edwards had a header saved, keeping the scoreline intact. Tactical substitutions followed, with Carson Mann making way for Thomas Drysdale in the 67th minute, and Jimbo King being replaced by Curtis Williamson in the 70th minute, as Abbey Villa sought to maintain their advantage.
The match turned contentious in the 73rd minute when Ross Murray was penalised for a trip, conceding a penalty and receiving a yellow card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. However, the Abbey Villa goalkeeper redeemed himself moments later by making a stunning penalty save in the 74th minute, keeping his team in the lead.
As the game approached its final stages, Joshua Colville received a yellow card for persistent infringements in the 80th minute, adding to the mounting tension. The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute when Thomas Drysdale, who had just come on, scored with a close-range header from a cross delivered by Kyle Irwin, sending the Abbey Villa supporters into raptures.
Greenisland's frustrations boiled over in the 87th minute when one of their players was shown a yellow card for a bad tackle. Abbey Villa's Curtis Shannon also received a yellow card in the 88th minute for deliberate handball, but the home side held firm in the dying moments of the match.
In the end, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds secured a hard-fought victory, with Joshua Colville earning the accolade of Man of the Match for his commanding defensive display. The win not only boosts Abbey Villa's league standing but also showcases their determination and resilience in a tightly contested fixture.
