Temple Villa FC welcomed St Francis to Moate on the morning of 20 September 2025 for a league home match kicking off at 9:30am. Over the course of a brisk 60-minute contest plus added time, Temple Villa produced a commanding display to secure a 5-1 victory, emphatically outplaying their visitors. The result was a statement of intent from the home side, who controlled the game from start to finish.
Temple Villa lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying Sam Mellet in goal behind a back four of James Dullea at right back, Dan Dwyer and Tiernan O’Shaughnessy as central defenders, and Cian Buckley on the left. The midfield double pivot featured Darragh Nee and Oliver Cooney tasked with both defensive cover and initiating attacks. Ahead of them, the attacking midfield trio consisted of Reuben Davis on the right, James O’Grady centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Tom Adamson on the left, all supporting lone striker Christopher Coyle. The formation was designed to provide defensive solidity while allowing fluid attacking movement through the midfield and wide areas. On the bench, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Harry Donlon, and James Henson awaited their chance to influence the match.
The game began with Temple Villa asserting early pressure. Christopher Coyle tested the St Francis goalkeeper with a close-range attempt in the 5th minute, only to be denied. Four minutes later, Reuben Davis also saw his effort saved, signalling the home side’s intent to break the deadlock. At the quarter-hour mark, the visitors struggled to contain the Villa’s attacking threat.
A double substitution at the 25th minute saw Andrew Fitzpatrick replace Christopher Coyle up front, while Harry Donlon came on for James O’Grady in the attacking midfield role. This tactical tweak paid immediate dividends as Fitzpatrick scored a close-range solo goal just four minutes later, expertly finishing after a determined run to give Temple Villa the lead.
The first half concluded shortly after this breakthrough, with the home side firmly in control at 1-0.
Early in the second half, at the 41st minute, Christopher Coyle was reintroduced, replacing Harry Donlon. The momentum continued to swing in Temple Villa’s favour as Tom Adamson doubled the advantage with a well-worked team goal, neatly finished following a short pass assist from Darragh Nee. This goal highlighted the fluidity and cohesion of the attacking midfield trio and the midfield’s ability to supply quality service.
Another substitution followed at the 50th minute, with James Henson coming on for Reuben Davis. Just three minutes later, Fitzpatrick struck again, this time converting a close-range finish assisted by Darragh Nee, who was proving pivotal in the creative midfield role.
The game’s intensity remained high, and at the 54th minute, James Henson received a yellow card, reflecting the physical nature of the contest as St Francis sought to stem the tide.
St Francis managed to pull a goal back in the 57th minute, offering a brief glimmer of hope, but Temple Villa’s response was swift and ruthless. Fitzpatrick completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute, expertly finishing a move orchestrated by Tom Adamson’s assist.
The final flourish came in the 61st minute when Fitzpatrick scored his fourth goal of the match with a composed tap-in, following a clever flicked assist from Christopher Coyle. This goal sealed an emphatic victory for Temple Villa, underscoring their dominance throughout the fixture.
In summary, Temple Villa’s 4-2-3-1 formation allowed them to control the midfield and create numerous chances, with Andrew Fitzpatrick’s introduction proving decisive. His four-goal haul, combined with key contributions from Tom Adamson and Darragh Nee, ensured a comprehensive 5-1 triumph over St Francis at Moate. The home side’s tactical flexibility and clinical finishing were the hallmarks of this impressive league performance.
