Villa ease past Southend in FAI Junior Cup
Villa's Aaron O'Connor finds the net with this brilliant free-kick against Southend in the FAI Junior Cup. Photos: Paul Elliott
Villa progressed into the third round of the FAI Junior Cup after they comfortably defeated a gallant Southend United at Southend Park on Sunday morning last with the damage done in the first-half.
Southend made it as difficult as possible for the visitors, but once the opening goal arrived there was no way back for the home team. With a huge squad of players Villa were able to leave out some of their top players out and then introduce five subs that never weakened the team.
Southend are playing in the 1A League and this is a very young squad of players and the experience of playing a top side like Villa will only help them develop.
It was Southend who had the first chance of the game after four minutes play when Azeez Alabi raced across the front of the Villa defence and then he slipped a clever pass into the run of Jack Cox, but the winger pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Villa soon took control of the game and they started to open up the Southend defence with John Tamen reaching the end line on five minutes, but his low cross was cut out by Southend keeper John Griffin.
Four minutes later, Aaron O’Connor found Dean Walsh free at the far post, but his strike crashed against the foot of the upright. On 16 minutes, they went close again when Cian Browne played a neat one two with Dean Walsh, but Southend keeper Griffin stuck a foot to push Browne’s effort past the far post.
Griffin pulled off another wonderful save two minutes later when he somehow managed to push a volley from Cian Browne past the far post. However Griffin was powerless to stop Villa taking the lead on 19 minutes.
Browne was fouled on the edge of the box and up stepped Aaron O’Connor to plant a right foot effort into the top corner of the net. It was 2-0 on 34 minutes when Dean Walsh hit a free kick from 20 yards that was diverted into the net by his team mate Dylan Stickel.
They added a third goal just two minutes later when Adam Conway whipped a cross into the box and Alex Phelan headed powerfully into the net to put Conor Coad’s side firmly in control at the break.
With a three goal lead safely tucked away Villa took their foot of the gas as the second period got underway. Southend made a couple of changes which gave them options in midfield and attack.
It was Villa that continued to dominate the ball as they played a more containing passing game. On the hour mark, Cian Browne played in James Kennedy, but his low drive was easily saved by Griffin.
The workLAB Connors Park outfit went close to increasing their lead on 66 minutes when Conor Whittle crossed for Cian Browne he knocked the ball down for Conor Kilgannon, but Griffin rushed from his line to save the Villa striker’s feet.
Villa wrapped up the scoring as they moved into the third round on 88 minutes when Conor Whittle delivered a perfect left-wing corner-kick and in came Conor Kilgannon to head into the net from six yards. Villa face Portlaw at home in the third round of the competition.
Meanwhile Tramore and Carrick also advanced into the next round of the FAI Junior Cup. Carrick beat Piltown on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Tramore defeating De La Salle by four goals to one.
John Griffin, Kian Moran ( Eoin Morrissey 46), Adam Crowley, Ben Boland, Kailum Connors (Jakub Drozdek 56), Seb Fialkiewicz, Ben Hennessey, Sean Hearne, Ziggy Galvin ( Conor McHugh 46), Azeez Alabi, Jack Cox (Ben Arrigan 56).
Craig Dunphy, John Tamen (Luke Walsh 46), Adam Conway (James Kennedy 56), Dylan Stickel, Conor Whittle, Dean Walsh (Dylan Walsh 56), Aaron O’Connor (Shane O’Brien 56), Jeff Da Silva (Conor Kilgannon 56), Cian Browne, Matas Grinius, Alex Phelan.
Chris Maher.
