Villa hit a dozen in a home rout
Villa team that hit Ballinroad for 12 goals in the Azzurri Premier League game played at workLAB Connors Park. Photos: Paul Elliott
Villa proved once again why they are Premier League champions as they delivered a masterclass in goalscoring against a Ballinroad side who had a bad night at the office. Once Villa scored early, the writing was on the wall for the visitors.
Villa hit goals from every angle, and they played a style of football never seen before in Waterford Junior football. In fairness, Ballinroad tried everything they could to stop the Villa side, which has scored over 20 goals in their last two Premier League games.
Villa took the lead after seven minutes. Aaron O’Connor drove in a right-wing cross, and Connor Kilgannon arrived on cue to smash home a right-foot volley.
After Villa continued to pepper the Ballinroad goal, it became two-nil on 20 minutes as Damian Quirke handled in the box, and referee Gavin Keyes pointed to the spot. Up stepped Ed O’Dwyer to shoot low and hard into the far corner of the net.
The third goal came on 31 minutes. John Tamen crossed low into the box, and Conor Kilgannon followed up to bundle the ball over the line. The fourth goal came a minute later, again Tamen crossed from the left, his cross looped into the air, and Shane O’Sullivan raced in to head into the empty net.
John Tamen was also involved in the fifth goal as he was fouled in the penalty area. Shane O’Sullivan took the spot kick, and he scored with a powerful right-foot strike. The sixth goal saw Shane O’Sullivan complete his hat trick. He raced onto a Conor Whittle pass before lifting the ball over the advancing Ballinroad goalkeeper, Aaron Beresford.
On the stroke of half-time, Villa scored again. Ed O’Dwyer was fouled twenty-five yards from goal, and Aaron O’Connor stepped up to send a curling effort that flew into the net in off the near post.
Villa made a couple of substitutions at half-time, but that never changed the tempo of the game as they went on to score more goals. On 55 minutes, excellent wing play by Shane O’Sullivan down the left and his pull back found the inrushing substitute, Even Ryan, who scored from close range.
Minutes later, Ed O’Dwyer looked to be running out of space on the edge of the box, his shot on the turn found the roof of the net from a tight angle for goal number eight. Then, the third sub, Mark Imiren, got on the score sheet with goal number ten. Another sub, James Keneddy, hit number 11 with a fine finish at the far post. The last goal of the game also came from Kennedy when he rifled goal number twelve with a strong right-foot drive into the roof of the net.
Fabian Kerton, John Tamen (James Kennedy 46), Tony Ebhonuaye (Danny Doyle 46), Luke Walsh, Conor Kilgannon (Mark Imiren 46), Conor Whittle, Aaron O’Connor, Shane O’Sullivan, Killan Griffin (Evan Ryan 46), Cian Browne, Ed O’Dwyer (Enis Ibrahimi 68).
Aaron Beresford, Darragh Cosgrave (Kieran Campbell 63), Aidan McKenna, Daithi Brunnock, Damian Quirke (Ben Flynn 51), DJ Kiely, Nathan Norris, Cian McGrath, Conor McDermott (Rory Fennell 46), Jamie Nagle, (Diarmaid Henley 46), Kieran Cosgrave.
Gavin Keyes, assisted by Lindon Bajrami and Noel Purcell.
