In a commanding display at Adams Park, Millisle, Abbey Villa F.C 2nds secured a 2-0 victory against Immaculata F.C 2nds on 29 March 2025. The match, which kicked off at 2:00pm, showcased Abbey Villa's attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation, culminating in a well-deserved win.
Abbey Villa lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a sturdy defensive structure. Ross Murray took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising James Edwards and Louis Gault-Reid as right and left defenders, respectively, with Joshua Colville and Matthew Edwards forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Daniel Beach operated centrally, flanked by Mark Gilliland on the right and Jimbo King on the left, providing width and creativity. Up front, Carson Mann led the line as the striker, supported by right forward Thomas Drysdale and left forward Kyle Irwin, both tasked with stretching the opposition defence and converting chances.
The substitutes for Abbey Villa included Colin Milligan and Paul Mulholland, who were poised to make an impact from the bench as the match progressed.
The first half saw Abbey Villa dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities. Daniel Beach was quick to make his mark, attempting a shot in the 10th minute that sailed high over the bar. Just four minutes later, Jimbo King tested the Immaculata goalkeeper, but his effort was saved, showcasing the home side's intent. Carson Mann followed suit in the 18th minute, but his attempt was also thwarted, as the visitors struggled to contain Abbey Villa's attacking threat.
As the half wore on, Beach continued to be a focal point in midfield, sending another effort wide in the 28th minute. Kyle Irwin then had a chance in the 34th minute, but his shot was saved, reflecting the mounting pressure on the Immaculata defence. Matthew Edwards also tried his luck in the 38th minute, but his attempt went high, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Just before half-time, Abbey Villa finally broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. In the 44th minute, Daniel Beach unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box, assisted by Louis Gault-Reid, sending the ball soaring into the net and sending the home crowd into raptures. The first half concluded with Abbey Villa leading 1-0, a just reward for their dominance.
The second half began with Immaculata looking to respond, but it was Abbey Villa who continued to control the game. In the 52nd minute, the visitors received a yellow card for dissent, a sign of their frustration as they struggled to cope with Abbey Villa's relentless pressure. Another yellow card followed in the 74th minute for persistent infringements, further compounding Immaculata's woes.
Abbey Villa made tactical substitutions in the 76th and 80th minutes, bringing on Colin Milligan for Thomas Drysdale and Paul Mulholland for Carson Mann, as they sought to maintain their advantage and freshen up their attacking options.
As the match approached its conclusion, Abbey Villa sealed the victory with a second goal in the 90th minute. Joshua Colville found the net from close range, converting a corner delivered by Mark Gilliland, effectively putting the game beyond Immaculata's reach.
In the dying moments of the match, Jimbo King received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 92nd minute, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the Abbey Villa players, who celebrated a well-earned 2-0 victory. Daniel Beach's standout performance earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, highlighting his crucial role in the midfield and his stunning goal that set the tone for the afternoon.
