The match burst into life early on when Villa’s striker Mathew Burke was brought down in the box in the third minute, conceding a penalty. Casey Courtney confidently stepped up to convert the spot-kick in the fourth minute, giving Villa an immediate lead. However, Willowbank responded swiftly with a well-worked team move that saw them level the score just two minutes later.
Tensions flared as Willowbank received a yellow card in the 10th minute for dissent, a warning that was quickly followed by another caution for the same offence in the 21st minute. Villa regained the lead in the 19th minute through a goalmouth scramble finished by central defender Matthew Edwards, who capitalised on a free kick delivered by left back Jamie Craig. Edwards doubled his tally in the 34th minute with another close-range effort, again pouncing after a frantic goalmouth melee.
Willowbank’s frustration was evident with a third yellow card for dissent in the 37th minute. Villa were then forced into an early substitution just before half-time when Louis Gault-Reid limped off injured with what looked like a hamstring injury, he was replaced by James King.
The second half saw Willowbank claw back into the game, scoring from a defensive mistake in the 54th minute. Shortly after, one of the visiting players was promptly booked for unsporting behaviour, along with Villa's Kyle Irwin in the same altercation. Another Willowbank player was also cautioned in the 56th minute for unsporting behaviour, highlighting the increasingly heated nature of the contest.
Villa responded with a spectacular volley from Kyle Irwin in the 58th minute, expertly assisted by a cross from Daniel McFarland on the right. Tactical changes followed with Thomas Drysdale replacing McFarland in the 63rd minute. But Willowbank then capitalised on another defensive error to score in the 66th minute, but Villa’s substitutions continued as James Edwards came on for Curtis Shannon at the 70-minute mark.
Just a minute later, Drysdale made an instant impact, scoring inside the box to extend Villa’s lead. The match remained physical and intense, with Marcus McGrath receiving a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 75th minute. Willowbank pulled another goal back from yet another defensive mistake in the 76th minute, keeping the contest alive.
Villa’s Mathew Burke then broke through on goal in the 80th minute, assisted by Drysdale’s short pass, Burke chipped the keeper to see his effort rebound of the crossbar and land right at his feet again to tap in. This restored Villa's two-goal cushion. The game’s tempers boiled over as Willowbank saw a player sent off in the 81st minute for offensive language and gestures. Villa’s James King added further gloss to the scoreline with a strike from outside the area in the 86th minute, Burke was then booked shortly after, for persistent infringements.
Abbey Villa held firm to secure a memorable 7-4 victory in a game that combined end-to-end action with moments of individual brilliance. Unfortunately, as the players and referee made their way off the pitch, another red card was shown for Willowbank, again for offensive language and gestures.
Mathew Burke was deservedly named Man of the match for his influential role up front. His goal and overall presence proved vital in Abbey Villa’s triumph at Adams Park.
