NAFL PREMIER DIVISION
Abbey Villa 4 Islandmagee 0
Dennis S Nash reports from Adams Park
HAVING exited both the Clarence and Intermediate Cups in recent weeks, Abbey Villa recorded a comfortable victory over Islandmagee as they returned to league action on Saturday.
With the victory Villa moved to within a point of the Islanders in seventh, and having played six games fewer than the east Antrim side.
Islandmagee’s Nicholas Baird made the first positive forward play with a long searching ball down the left, but the home side immediately responded and launched an attack of their own with Ross Arthurs’ effort just off target.
Both forward lines showed their potential in the early exchanges with each defence looking capable and competent. Villa full-backs Matthew Dempster and Gregg Fleming both engaged in early forward excursions and the home side were clearly moulded into an attacking role right from the start.
Ex-Ards striker Ross Arthurs was heavily involved for Villa and saw another shooting opportunity snake just outside Jay McPhee’s right-hand post.
The game had reached the 20th minute when referee Mervyn Smyth awarded the home side a penalty, but visiting ‘keeper McPhee – diving smartly to his left – repelled Chris Murray’s spot kick.
Just moments after his dramatic penalty save however, the Islandmagee custodian was beaten by a near-post Jake Wilson strike as Villa went into the lead.
Islandmagee responded well with Samuel Knox making several determined forward surges, but the balance of play still measured out clearly in favour of the home squad.
Just before half-time the busy McPhee was on hand to deal with an effort from Jack Upritchard effort and even though the interval arrived with Wilson’s lone goal the difference, the home side were well in control.
After my very acceptable hot half-time cuppa – served by none other than the IFA president Conrad Kirkwood – it was Villa still very much committed to an attacking role with Gregg Fleming pushing them into early left-wing action.
Adam Arthurs and Chris Murray were both having an influence with the former especially prominent as the home outfit continued to dictate proceedings.
Ten minutes into the second half Murray fed a ball down the right and a crashing effort from Wilson doubled both his and Villa’s tally for the day.
Goalkeeper McPhee, now in almost constant action, was down smartly to block another Murray advance but, on the hour mark, the home team had increased their advantage to 3-0 with an inventive effort from the highly-impressive Matthew Dempster.
The Ballywalter man maintains a leading role in the growing fortunes of this Villa side and the efforts of the big number two all but sealed the three points for the hosts.
The game had lost the last dregs of competitiveness by this stage and another goal – an inswinging free-kick from Mark Cooling which totally confused the ‘keeper as it sailed nicely into the top corner at the back post, left Villa 4-0 victors.
THE MATCH CARD
Abbey Villa: James Darlington, Matthew Dempster, Gregg Fleming, Alan Strain (C), Scott Robbie, Adam Arthurs, Chris Murray, Mark Cooling, Jake Wilson, Ross Arthurs, Jack Upritchard.
Substitutes: Ryan Convery, Casey Courtney, Daniel McFarland.
Officials: Brian Hylands, Michael Doran, Simon Gordon.
Islandmagee: Jay McPhee, Brandon Bradshaw, Nicholas Baird, Ross McGimpsey, Samuel Knox, Dylan Hanley (C), Scott Graham, Tyler Barclay, Alexander Hawthorne, Ryan Nimick, Sam Morrow.
Substitutes: Joel McMurtry, Ben McDowell, Lloyd Watters.
Officials: Paul Thompson, Arron Anderson, Alan McWhirter, Andrew Phillips.
THE TEAMS
Abbey Villa FC
It was in 1955 that Thomas Waugh led Millisle United into the Cardy League, with the team playing home games in Stewart’s Field just outside the village.
The team progressed to the Churches League as Millisle Presbyterian with a reserve side playing in the Belfast Minor League. They finally arrived on the Amateur League scene in 1962.
In 1983, former player Brian Adams became secretary and manager and, with the support of founders the Hegans and the McGimpseys, the club’s fortunes began to take off when they won the Clarence Cup in season 1990-1991 while still in the second division.
Abbey Villa developed their own ground and in August 1992 they opened Adams Park and the Waugh Pavillion and have been further honoured with the election of their secretary Conrad Kirkwood to the position of Irish Football Association president.
Islandmagee FC
Islandmagee Football Club was formed in 1955 and joined the Amateur League after one season in the Larne and District League.
The Islanders reached a number of cup finals in their early days but only once returned with silverware. That was in the Border Regiment Cup in season 1963-1964.
Their reserve side too reached a number of finals, but lost in two Templeton Cup finals and one Walter Moore final.
Islandmagee’s first league success arrived at the end of the 1950s when they were promoted from Division 2B.
A runners-up place in 1A in season 1994-1995 took them into the new Premiership for the first time.
Their second team also had league success with two title victories in the 1990s.
THE COMPETITION
The Northern Amateur Football League was founded on July 4, 1923 at a meeting held in Belfast and celebrated its centenary year two years ago.
Over time and with more than 400 clubs having been in membership, the League now consists of three divisions of 13 sections providing a base for 94 clubs, with a total of 179 teams taking part competitively in Intermediate and Junior competitions.
REFEREE FOCUS
For the second successive feature match, Mervyn Smyth took centre stage with his well-established capabilities and it was an extra delight to meet up once again with Liam Kennedy in his role of assessor.
AT ADAMS PARK
As always the reception at Adams Park was warm and welcoming with chairman Gary Pitman and his committee members in their customary hospitality mode.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
On the camera for the Chronicle last Saturday was Neal Dorman.
