Villa run riot to overcome Courtown challenge
The Villa FC U12 Squad that defeated Courtown in the SFAI Cup at workLAB Connors Park on Saturday last.
Villa FC produced a devastating attacking display to storm into the second round of the SFAI U12 Cup with a comprehensive 9-0 victory over Courtown FC at workLAB Connors Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Waterford side were in control from the opening whistle and never allowed their Wexford visitors to settle, with hat-tricks from Caelan Lambe and Cian Bourke helping Villa record one of their most impressive performances of the season.
While the final score reflected Villa's dominance, Courtown goalkeeper Alfie Edmonds deserves enormous credit for his efforts between the posts. The young netminder made a string of outstanding saves throughout the contest and prevented the home side from adding several more goals to an already impressive tally.
Villa immediately seized the initiative and created chances almost from the kick-off. Luke Nevin was a constant menace down the right flank, using his pace and superb delivery to stretch the Courtown defence. Inside the opening five minutes, Nevin reached the byline and picked out Cian Bourke with a pinpoint cross, but the striker's header drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
Nevin continued to create opportunities and on 11 minutes his dangerous free-kick found Caelan Lambe, whose powerful header rattled the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally arrived two minutes later. Lambe collected possession on the left wing, cut infield and unleashed a well-struck right-footed shot that flew into the bottom corner for a deserved Villa lead.
Villa doubled their advantage on 16 minutes. Once again Nevin was the provider, sending a deep cross towards the back post where Lambe arrived to volley home expertly for his second goal of the afternoon.
The home side were playing with confidence and precision, moving the ball quickly and creating chances at will. Their third goal arrived shortly afterwards when another excellent delivery from Nevin found Cian Walker, who powered a header into the net.
Villa made it four shortly afterwards when Nevin tested Edmonds with a fierce right-footed effort. The Courtown goalkeeper managed to push the ball onto the crossbar, but Cian Hartley reacted quickest to head home the rebound.
The goals continued to flow. A corner from Bourke caused problems in the Courtown penalty area and Hartley was once again on hand at the far post to apply the finishing touch and make it 5-0.
Despite Courtown's best efforts, Villa remained firmly on top and Bourke got in on the scoring act before half-time, finding the net to send his side into the interval with a commanding six-goal advantage.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with Villa attacking relentlessly. Within minutes of the restart, Walker grabbed his second goal of the game to extend the lead.
Lambe completed his hat-trick on 40 minutes with one of the best goals of the afternoon. The Villa forward beat two defenders with a clever run before confidently finishing past the advancing Edmonds.
Bourke then matched Lambe's feat by completing his own hat-trick. Lambe turned provider on this occasion, timing his run perfectly before squaring the ball for Bourke to side-foot home.
The final goal of an entertaining encounter came late on when Hartley raced through the Courtown defence, rounded Edmonds and calmly slotted into the empty net to complete Villa's ninth goal.
Villa's combination of skill, movement and teamwork proved too much for Courtown on the day, and on this evidence they will be a difficult side to stop as the SFAI U12 Cup progresses.
Kian McCarthy, Lucas Vysnan, Peter Newell, Conor Keane, Jordan Butler, Caelan Lambe, Cian Hartley, Mikey Coffey, Cian Bourke, Luke Nevin, Oliver Kiely, Cian Walker.
Alfie Edmonds, Sean Murphy, Charlie McLaughlin, James Howard, Aidan Dubrauk, Sam Dzikevixius, Ben Kearney, Liam Browne, Dada McNally, Chris Dron, Tom Murphy.
Noel Connolly.
