Phelan and Walsh hit hat-tricks in romp
Dean Walsh of Villa who hit a hat trick against Bohs in the Azzurri Premier League clash played at workLAB Connors Park to bring his tally in the league this season to 29 goals.
Villa took a huge step towards regaining their Premier League title with this emphatic win over Bohemians at workLAB Connors Park on Wednesday night last. Villa strikers Alex Phelan and Dean Walsh both hit hat-tricks, with Adam Conway hitting a brace. Bohs were simply blown away by a Villa side that had too much firepower for the men from Ben Wadding Park. In fairness, Bohs may have conceded eight, but only for some fine defending by centre back Shane Nolan, the score could have been higher.
With only two minutes on the clock, Villa went close to opening the scoring. Evan Ryan played a ball behind the Bohs defence, and Dean Walsh hit a first-time strike and brought a fine save from Bohs keeper Adam Carroll.
The hosts did hit the front three minutes later when John Tamen overlapped down the left and his low cross was turned home at the far post by Alex Phelan. On 14, Bohs winger Tommy Mullalley fired a deep cross to the far post, but Villa keeper Craig Dunphy was happy to see the cross drop over the crossbar.
Conor Coad’s side doubled their lead on 24 minutes. Conor Whittle took on the Bohs defence, and when he crossed into the box, Alex Phelan was well placed to score from eight yards.
Three minutes later, it was three-nil. This time, it was Dean Walsh who drew the attention of the Bohs defence, allowing Adam Conway to steal in and find the net. Alex Phelan completed his hat trick with Villa’s fourth goal on 31 minutes. John Tamen raced along the end line, and his low cross found Phelan, who scored from six yards.
Bohs started the second half on the attack, Bradley Keohan got away down the left and crossed to the far post, and in came Shane Nolan, but he side-footed wide from a good position.
Villa got back to scoring ways with goal number six on 70 minutes. Dean Walsh picked up the ball wide on the right and cut inside the Bohs' defence before shooting into the net in off the far post.
Walsh was back in goalscoring form again on 79 minutes, a quick free by Aaron O’Connor caught the visitors' defence sleeping and the centre forward stole in to score with a superb finish.
The same pair combined again for Villa’s seventh goal on 83 minutes. O’Connor got free on the right flank, and he cut in before crossing for Dean Walsh to complete his hat trick.
Adam Conway hit goal number eight in the 90th minute, taking control of the ball on the edge of the box and beating the Bohs' defence before firing the ball into the far corner of the net.
VILLA FC: Craig Dunphy, James Kennedy, John Tamen, Adam Conway (Darragh O’Connor 63), Tony Ebhonuaye, Luke Walsh, Conor Whittle (JP Browne 63), Dean Walsh, Matt Grinus (Anderson Dube ‘h/t), Evan Ryan (Adham Masood ‘47), Alex Phelan (Aaron O’Connor h/t).
BOHEMIANS FC: Adam Carroll, Bradley Keohan (Luke O’Mahony 70), Conor McArdle, Tommy Mullally, Ross Battye (Fortune Daniels 78), Ross Gallaher, Josh O’Neill-Nolan, Joseph Titilayo, David Imiren, Shane Nolan, Judah Adeloye (Jake Croke 58).
Referee: John S Walsh, assisted by Luke Brennan and PJ O’Keeffe.
