Abbey Villa F.C 2nds faced off against Glebe Rangers reserves in a cup clash at Riada Stadium on 21 September 2024, with the match kicking off at 1:30 PM. The home side delivered a remarkable performance, thrashing their opponents with a scoreline that read 10-0 by the final whistle, showcasing their attacking prowess throughout the contest.
Abbey Villa adopted a 4-3-3 formation for this encounter, which is typically characterised by a solid defensive line, a dynamic midfield, and a potent forward trio. The goalkeeper, Ross Murray, anchored the defence, while Curtis Williamson and Curtis Shannon operated as right and left defenders, respectively, flanking the central defensive pair of Matthew Edwards and Joshua Colville. In midfield, James Boyd, Louis Gault-Reed, and Marcus McGrath provided balance and creativity, with Boyd on the right, McGrath on the left, and Gault-Reed in a central role. Up front, Mark Gilliland, Carson Mann, and Kyle Irwin formed a formidable attacking trio, with Gilliland on the right, Mann as the central striker, and Irwin on the left.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Daniel McFarland, Daniel Beach, and Jake Rainey, who would bring fresh legs and tactical variations as the match progressed.
The scoring opened early in the match, with Carson Mann finding the net just 10 minutes in, benefitting from a well-placed assist by Joshua Colville. This early goal set the tone for the rest of the match, as Abbey Villa quickly established their dominance.
However, the game took a slight turn when Curtis Shannon received a yellow card in the 17th minute for an unspecified infraction, but this did little to hinder the team's momentum. By the 32nd minute, Mann doubled his tally with a well-executed goal following a team move, this time assisted by Marcus McGrath. Not content with just two goals, Mann netted again in the 36th minute, converting a chance inside the box with a deft assist from Mark Gilliland, bringing the score to 3-0 before the half-time interval.
As the players returned for the second half, Abbey Villa made their first substitution, introducing Daniel McFarland in place of Gilliland just after the restart. Mann continued his scoring spree, netting his fourth goal of the match in the 49th minute with an assist from Louis Gault-Reed, further extending the lead.
The relentless assault on the Glebe Rangers' goal continued when Mann struck again in the 52nd minute, this time benefitting from a Kyle Irwin assist, bringing his tally to five goals. Abbey Villa then made further changes, bringing on Daniel Beach for Curtis Shannon in the 62nd minute, followed by Jake Rainey replacing Marcus McGrath in the 66th minute.
The goal fest continued in the 67th minute when Joshua Colville scored a stunning long-range effort, assisted by Beach, showcasing the team's attacking flair. Mann added to the scoreline once more in the 70th minute, securing his sixth goal with an assist from Colville, demonstrating the synergy between all the players.
In the 74th minute, Kyle Irwin scored from the penalty spot after being fouled in the area, converting the chance with his left foot to further pile on the misery for Glebe Rangers. The goals kept coming, and in the 85th minute, substitute Daniel McFarland added his name to the scoresheet with a spectacular strike, assisted by Beach, which left the opposition's defence reeling.
As the match approached its conclusion, Mann capped off a phenomenal performance by netting his seventh goal in the 87th minute, once again receiving an assist from Beach. However, his late unexcused exit from the pitch earned him a yellow card in the 90th minute, but this would not detract from an incredible display.
The final whistle confirmed a staggering victory for Abbey Villa F.C 2nds, with Carson Mann emerging as the standout player of the match, having scored an astonishing seven goals in a display of sheer attacking brilliance. The win not only highlights the team's strength but also sets a high benchmark for their future fixtures.
