In a thrilling cup encounter at Adams Park, Millisle, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds edged past Crumlin Utd 2nds with a final score of 3-2 on 25 January 2025. The match kicked off at 1:30pm, and both teams showcased their determination to progress in the competition, but it was Abbey Villa who emerged victorious in a tightly contested affair.
Abbey Villa adopted 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 place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of James Edwards and Casey Courtney as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Alan Strain and Matthew Edwards forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Mark Gilliland operated on the right, with Jake Rainey and Ryan Convery occupying central and left midfield roles. Up front, Jake Wilson, Ross Arthurs, and Daniel McFarland formed a dynamic attacking trio, with Wilson and McFarland providing pace and creativity on the flanks, while Arthurs led the line as the central striker.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Mathew Burke, Curtis Williamson, and Daniel Beach, who would be called upon later in the match as the game unfolded.
The match began with Abbey Villa asserting their dominance early on. In the 9th minute, James Edwards opened the scoring with a close-range effort, converting a well-placed assist from Jake Wilson inside the box. This early goal set the tone for Abbey Villa, who looked to build on their lead.
As the first half progressed, Crumlin Utd struggled to find their rhythm, but they managed to stay in the contest. In the 37th minute, the referee, Glen Stevenson, issued a yellow card to a Crumlin Utd player, signalling their growing frustration. Just before half-time, in the 41st minute, Crumlin Utd capitalised on a defensive mistake from Abbey Villa, equalising the score and leaving the match finely poised at 1-1 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw a tactical substitution for Abbey Villa, with Mathew Burke replacing Jake Rainey due to injury just as the whistle blew for half-time. The match resumed with both teams eager to take control, but it was Crumlin Utd who found themselves in hot water early on, receiving another yellow card for dissent in the 49th minute, followed by another for a bad tackle in the 52nd minute.
Abbey Villa regained their composure and took the lead once more in the 54th minute when Mathew Burke, who had just come on, scored from close range, assisted by Ross Arthurs. The home side's momentum continued, and in the 61st minute, James Edwards struck again, this time with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Mark Gilliland, extending Abbey Villa's lead to 3-1.
However, the match was far from over. In the 63rd minute, Ryan Convery received a yellow card for persistent infringements, adding to the tension on the pitch. Abbey Villa made further tactical changes in the 70th minute, bringing on Curtis Williamson for Mark Gilliland and Daniel Beach for Daniel McFarland, who had also succumbed to injury.
Crumlin Utd refused to back down and were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute, which they converted to narrow the deficit to 3-2. This goal injected new life into the visitors, who pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match.
Despite Crumlin Utd's late surge, Abbey Villa held firm, demonstrating resilience and determination to secure their place in the next round of the cup. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory for Abbey Villa, with James Edwards earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his pivotal contributions, including two crucial goals.
