Draw leaves Southend with huge advantage in U-12 title race

WATERFORD SCHOOLBOY UNDER 12A LEAGUE 

SOUTHEND UNITED 1 

DALE ELLIOTT ‘19 

VILLA FC 1 

ETHAN SZEFLINSKI ‘26 

This was high drama in the Waterford Schoolboy Under 12A League as Villa made the away trip to Southend Park to take on Southend United, however the game ended in a draw after two first-half goals.

The U-12A League table reads, Bohemians are top with10 games played and 19 points, next Villa with seven games played and16 points, then favourites Southend United with six games played and 16 points. At the end of a pulsating 60 minutes it was advantage Southend as this was a game Villa really needed to win.

NO QUARTÉR ASKED OR GIVEN 

Both teams were in the thick of the action as the game got underway, but both defences stood firm as the strikers asked questions. After five minutes Southend won a corner-kick. Liam Dooley whipped in the flag-kick that dropped in the goalmouth, following a scramble Villa were happy to see goalkeeper Kajtek Splawski dive on the ball to stop it crossing the line.

On nine minutes Villa sliced open the home defence. Alan Maryiak lifted the ball into the run of striker Giovanni Anneecchiarico, who lined up a strike at goal but Southend keeper James Dalton advanced to save, the rebound fell to Maryiak but Dalton was quick to his feet to make another save.

Southend took the lead on 19 minutes. Liam Dooley drove a corner-kick into the box and Aaron English got his head to the cross. The ball flew across the box and hit Southend striker Dale Elliott on the back and ended up in the net. Villa fought back bravely and on 22 a free-kick by Adam Sielanexyk struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear.

Villa equalised on 26 minutes. A corner-kick by Erik Moldovan found its way to the far post and Ethan Szeflinski was well placed to hammer a right footed shot into the net.

TWO WELL MATCHED TEAMS 

It was Southend who tried to force the issue as the second-half progressed. They pushed players into the box but the Villa defence was strong with Cuinn Carroll, Adam Sielanczyk and Erik Moldovan excellent at the back for the visitors. Southend pushed up with Aaron English, Daniel Rakel and Michael Edward O’Reilly working hard to provide chances for the home team.

Villa had a late chance to win on 52 minutes, a free kick by Adam Sielanczyk picked out Alan Maryiak at the far post but the striker headed wide from six yards.

SOUTHEND UNITED: James Dalton, Evan Walsh, Gabriel Korzeniowski, Liam Dooley, Aaron English, Daniel Rakel, Conor Douglas, Dale Elliott, Michael Edward O’Reilly, Jack Roche, Colm Widger, Alfie Halligan, Luke Casey, Emily O’Regan.

VILLA FC: Kajtek Splawski, Cuinn Carroll,Adam Sielanexyk, Harry Jackman, Tom Hearne, Ollie Hughes, Ethan Szeflinski, Alan Maryniak, Giovanni Anneechiarico, Kayden English, Erik Moldovan, Kyle Lonergan. Fredia Cooke.

Referee: Michael Wall.