Villa crowned U12A League champions with playoff win
The Villa squad that beat Carrick United celebrate their win over Carrick United to capture the U12A League title at Graun Park on Thursday night last.
Since these sides finished locked together at the end of the Waterford Schoolboy U12A league season, a play-off decider was required, and it was Villa FC who rose to the occasion with an impressive all-round display at Graun Park in Tramore on Thursday night.
From the outset, Villa looked the sharper outfit. Luke Nevin and Oscar Prendergast both tested the Carrick United defence early on, striking the woodwork inside the opening five minutes as they set the tone for what was to follow.
The breakthrough arrived on seven minutes and it was Oscar Prendergast who made the early pressure count. Latching onto a clever through ball, he showed composure beyond his years to finish smartly past the advancing Ben Drohan and give Villa a deserved lead.
Carrick responded positively and had a chance to level when Theo Coady rose highest to meet a Charlie Keane delivery, but his powerful header drifted just over the crossbar.
Villa continued to press and doubled their advantage on 22 minutes. Dylan Kirwan did well on the left flank before delivering an excellent pass into the path of Prendergast, who again kept his cool to slot into the far corner for his second of the night.
Defensively, Villa were rock solid throughout the opening period. Evan Sheridan provided assurance between the posts, while Lucas Whelan was commanding at centre-back. In midfield, Liam Browne’s energy and distribution ensured Villa remained on top.
Carrick United entered the second half needing a quick response, but Villa remained firmly in control. Prendergast nearly completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart, firing narrowly wide following another incisive attacking move.
The game was effectively sealed on 39 minutes when Villa captain Jack Flynn produced a moment of quality. After Luke Nevin was fouled wide on the left, Flynn stepped up and curled a superb left-footed effort into the top corner, leaving Drohan with no chance and extending the lead to three.
To their credit, Carrick refused to fold and were rewarded with a goal on 50 minutes. A dangerous cross into the box caused problems for the Villa defence, and Theo Coady reacted quickest to finish from close range after an initial save from Sheridan.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Villa restored their three-goal cushion just four minutes later. Nevin again proved influential, breaking down the right before delivering a precise cross to the back post, where Jack Cunningham was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Villa comfortably saw out the closing stages, underlining their superiority on the night with a composed and clinical performance. They held the edge in both attack and defence, with Nevin posing a constant threat up front and Browne dictating the tempo in midfield.
At the final whistle, celebrations followed as David Cullen of the Waterford Schoolboy League presented the league trophy to Villa captain Jack Flynn, capping a memorable evening for the club.
Evan Sheridan, Jake Clancy, Calvin Quinlan, Lucas Whelan, Jack Flynn, Liam Browne, Dylan Kirwan, Luke Nevin, Oscar Prendergast, Syd Power, Jack Cunningham.
Ben Drohan, Marc O'Shea, Cian Mullins, Theo Coady, Ollie Walsh, Cian Bartosik, Odhran Power, Charlie Keane, Kai Walsh, Harry Torpey-O'Dwyer, Alfie Tobin, Alfie Finn.
Stuart Kennedy, assisted by Noel Connolly and Damien Kelly.
