TSDL Match Reports Sunday 17th April
Premier League
Clonmel Town 2 - 3 Peake Villa Junior A
Scorers: OG (1) Pippy Carroll (1) Matthew McKevitt (1)
Peake Villa travelled to play Clonmel Town in the Complex on wet and miserable Easter Sunday with both sides chasing a league title, 3 points the prize at stake. In the early exchanges Peake were on top and went close from an early corner from a great delivery from Keith Cahill. Keith and Mikey Wade were a real threat from set pieces with pin point crosses but Villa failed to put them away. Against the run of play Clonmel took the lead when a free kick that wasn’t dealt with, was put away with a well taken goal by Keith Browne. The Villa defence would have been very disappointed to concede. Villa showed real character and continued playing all the football and with a strong wind behind them it felt it was a matter of time before the equaliser. Another attack and another corner for villa. Mikey Wade delivering the perfect cross into the danger area and Alan O Donnell put the ball into his own net to make it 1-1. Clonmel looked like they held on and would have been happy to get in at half time with the draw, as the Peake pressure was relentless. Anthony Walker and Jack Ryan Casey really had a hold on midfield and were dominating. A long throw by Ronan McGuire was flicked on by Evan McCormack and Captain Pippy Carroll was on hand to fire Villa into a well deserved 2-1 lead at the break. Half time 2-1.
Clonmel came out of the blocks the quickest and within 7 minutes were back level when another poor defensive error made it 2-2 with a goal by Ciaran Looney. A looping header somehow found its way into the Villa net. Now playing into the wind, it was going to be a tough task for Villa to go and get the winner. Dale Loughnane and Danny Treacy showed plenty of energy getting up and down the flanks, were both a constant threat for Towns full backs. Both sides were on the hunt for a winner and the next goal was going to be crucial. Cometh the hour cometh the man. Matthew McKevitt with his predatory instincts showed all his experience to be in the right place at the right time like all top strikers and poked the ball over the line to put Villa 3-2 up. Clonmel threw everything they had at Villa for the last 20 minutes and were unlucky not to find an equaliser. With so many corners and long throws coming in, Willy Tierney was alert in the goals and marshalled his defence and made sure nothing went by him. Villa managed to hold out in what was a tense last few minutes until the final whistle. Full time 3-2.
A top battle played in great spirits which was a terrific advertisement for football in the TS&DL with both teams really going for it. Best on the day for Villa were all 1-18 with every player playing a part in what could be the most valuable 3 points of the season so far.
First Division
Peake Villa Junior B 1 - 3 Old Bridge
Scorer: Conor Murphy (1)