NAFL PREMIER DIVISION
ABBEY VILLA 2
ROSARIO YC 1
BY MARTIN STRAIN
GOALS either side of half-time from Chris Murray saw Abbey Villa to victory over Rosario for the third time this season.
It was just 14 days earlier that Villa played hosts to the south Belfast team in a third round Border Cup game. On that occasion, as in the reverse league victory back in August, Villa came out on top by two goals to one, and there was to be a repeat of that same scoreline at Adams Park last weekend.
In bright sunshine and a light breeze the visitors started very quickly and had an early opportunity, but it was driven well over. Then, following a Villa corner, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box where Ryan Convery thumped it back goalwards, only to see it well blocked by a Rosario defender.
Villa took the lead after nine minutes when Mark Cooling cleverly intercepted a Rosario pass around the centre circle. In subtle fashion Cooling delivered it into the feet of Chris Murray, who, running at pace, drew the Rosario ’keeper off his line before rounding him and finishing well on his right foot.
Both teams remained fully committed to trying to play football at a good pace. As the half was drawing to a close the visitors seemed to be gaining increased levels of possession and, with a little extra care in front of goal, they may have grabbed an equaliser before the break having created a couple of decent shooting opportunities.
Villa had a chance to increase their lead early in the second half, but Jake Wilson failed to bring the ball under control and then Jack Upritchard was denied a penalty after strong claims.
On the hour mark Villa did double their lead. Murray was first to react to Gregg Fleming’s lofted pass and before the Rosario ’keeper could get set, the forward thumped a great low strike past him and into the net.
Almost immediately the same player had what was his best opportunity of the day, when a Josh Barnes cross found him totally unmarked in the centre of the penalty area but Murray could only direct his header over the bar.
Villa seemed to be content to invite Rosario on to them after that, safe in the knowledge that they had a relatively comfortable two-goal cushion. Rosario obviously had other plans, and with around 10 minutes left they managed to reduce the arrears.
Following what seemed to be a series of very petty free kicks, they had Villa pegged deep into their own area and the ball eventually broke to Max Miller whose low shot beat James Darlington in the Villa goal.
With 10 minutes to go both teams could really have added to their totals. For Villa, Josh Barnes found himself clear in a central area about 20 yards out, however the ’keeper made a comfortable save. Then, in almost the last minute, Rosario had their big chance to grab an equaliser, but the ball eventually found its way into the safe hands of Darlington.
Other results
Abbey Villa II 2-2 Albert Foundry II
Abbey Villa III 2-0 Willowfield Parish 10th OB
Fixtures
Saturday, October 26
Firsts – Ballymacash Rangers (H) Irish Cup R3
Seconds – Shankill Utd II (A) Walter Moore Cup R1
Thirds – Agape (A) League
Lottery
The winning numbers for October 19 were 6, 10, 19 and 23. Billy Rice and Taylor Keery each won £10 and the next jackpot will be £550.
