In a gripping cup encounter at East Park on 8th March 2025, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds faced off against East Belfast 2nds, ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 defeat after extra time. The match, which kicked off at 2:00 PM, showcased a fierce battle between the two sides, with Abbey Villa pushing hard for a comeback but falling just short.
Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Ross Murray took his place in goal, with a back four comprising James Edwards and Curtis Shannon as the right and left defenders, respectively, while Joshua Colville and Matthew Edwards anchored the central defence. The midfield trio featured Mark Gilliland on the right, Marcus McGrath centrally, and Daniel Beach on the left, providing both creativity and support to the front three. Up front, Curtis Williamson and Thomas Drysdale operated as right and left forwards, flanking striker Mathew Burke, who was tasked with leading the line and finishing chances.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Paul Mulholland, who would later be introduced to the fray as the match progressed.
The first half saw Abbey Villa start brightly, with Thomas Drysdale testing the East Belfast defence early on, though his effort in the 10th minute went wide of the target. Curtis Williamson followed suit with a shot in the 18th minute, but his attempt was saved, keeping the scoreline level. However, it was East Belfast who struck first, taking the lead in the 34th minute with a powerful header, leaving Abbey Villa trailing as they headed into the half-time break.
After the interval, Abbey Villa emerged determined to level the score. Mark Gilliland had a chance to equalise just four minutes into the second half, but his shot was saved. Williamson continued to be a threat, but his effort in the 54th minute sailed high over the bar. As the match wore on, Abbey Villa pressed for an equaliser, with Marcus McGrath's shot in the 66th minute also saved by the East Belfast goalkeeper.
Mathew Burke had a chance to bring Abbey Villa back into contention in the 78th minute, but his attempt went wide, reflecting the mounting frustration of the visitors. As the clock ticked down, East Belfast received a yellow card for violent conduct in the 84th minute, a moment that hinted at the growing tensions on the pitch.
In a tactical move, Abbey Villa made their first substitution in the 85th minute, bringing on Paul Mulholland for Thomas Drysdale. With time running out, Burke had another opportunity in the 87th minute, but his shot again went high, leaving Abbey Villa still searching for that elusive goal.
The breakthrough finally came in stoppage time, as Matthew Edwards found the net with a header from a free kick delivered by Curtis Williamson in the 92nd minute, sending the Abbey Villa supporters into raptures and levelling the score at 1-1. However, the joy was short-lived as East Belfast capitalised on a defensive mistake, twelve minutes into extra time, regaining the lead with their second goal in the 102nd minute.
The match concluded with East Belfast emerging victorious, leaving Abbey Villa to reflect on a spirited performance that ultimately fell just short. The players will take heart from their resilience and the standout performance of Matthew Edwards, who not only scored the equaliser but was also a commanding presence throughout the match.
