Egan's screamer completes Southend's comeback for cup glory
Southend's Ryan Egan peels away to celebrate after he scored the winning goal for his side.
Ryan Egan struck a superb second-half winner as Southend United came from behind to defeat Villa FC and lift the Johnny Barnes U13A Cup at Graun Park on Thursday evening.
Southend started the final as favourites but found themselves trailing early on after a bright opening from Villa. However, the eventual winners showed great character and patience before second-half goals from Mikey Connors and Egan turned the contest around and secured cup glory.
Villa made the perfect start when they opened the scoring after just seven minutes. Elliott Hughes did well on the right wing before slipping a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Archie Kelly. The Villa forward took the ball in stride and unleashed a magnificent effort that flew into the top corner beyond the reach of diving goalkeeper Jack Allen.
Southend responded positively and almost found an immediate equaliser on ten minutes. Luke Casey delivered a dangerous corner which was headed against the crossbar. The rebound fell kindly to Darragh Sutton Wyse, but his goal-bound effort was brilliantly saved by Villa goalkeeper Oliver Fitzgerald.
Southend continued to enjoy the majority of possession and territory as Villa were forced onto the defensive. Mason O'Neill came close midway through the half when he raced onto a Fareed Alabi delivery, only to see his effort sail over the crossbar.
At the other end, Villa defended stubbornly. Lucas Whelan and Erik Sarane were outstanding in central defence, repeatedly dealing with Southend attacks and helping their side preserve a 1-0 advantage at the interval.
Southend emerged for the second half determined to find a route back into the game. Gabriel Korzeniowski sent a long pass over the top for Michael Edward O'Reilly, who gathered possession well but steered his effort wide of the target. Moments later O'Reilly threatened again, only to shoot over from another promising position.
Villa remained dangerous on the counter-attack and nearly doubled their lead when Oscar Prendergast released Alan Maryniak through on goal. Maryniak's shot looked destined for the net, but Allen made an important save to keep Southend in contention.
That stop proved crucial as Southend finally got back on level terms on 42 minutes. Casey was again heavily involved, producing a clever pass into the path of Mikey Connors, who finished expertly from just inside the penalty area with a right-footed strike into the far corner.
The equaliser injected fresh belief into the Southend side and they pressed hard for a winner. Their persistence was rewarded on 58 minutes when Egan produced the defining moment of the final. Collecting possession on the edge of the area, he skipped past two challenges before curling a superb right-footed effort into the far corner, giving Fitzgerald no chance and sending the Southend supporters into celebration.
Villa battled to find a response during the closing stages but Southend remained composed and saw out the remaining minutes to secure an impressive victory.
After the final whistle, Mary Ray of the Waterford Schoolboy League presented the Johnny Barnes U13A Cup to Southend joint captains Fareed Alabi and Emily O'Regan, sparking joyous celebrations among players, coaches and supporters.
Jack Allen, Jack Roche, Luke Casey, Mason O'Neill, Gabriel Korzeniowski, Ryan Egan, Hollie Roche Murphy, Darragh Sutton Wyse, Fareed Alabi, Michael Edward O'Reilly, Mikey Connors, Danny Connors, Toby Fitzgerald, Darragh Long.
Oliver Fitzgerald, Dylan Kirwin, Jack Flynn, Lucas Whelan, Erik Sarane, Archie Kelly, Luke Nevin, Elliott Hughes, Oscar Prendergast, Alan Maryniak, Calvin Quinlan, Jake Clancy, Syd Power, Jack Cunningham, Harry Jackman, Liam Browne, Cuinn Carroll.
Jonnie Mullowney, assisted by Noel Connolly and Trevor Hartery.
