Villa get the better of rivals Trim Celtic in feisty encounter

SOCCER Men's Premier Division

Trim Celtic 1

Parkvilla 3

TOM GANNON

Parkvilla got the better of their rivals Trim Celtic and maintained second spot in the Premier Division on Friday evening at Tully Park. The Navan side were full value for their victory and were very creative in attacking areas, particularly in the first-half.

Parkvilla had the best of the early chances and in the 31st minute, Eoghan Heavey broke the deadlock. On the brink of half-time, Jamie Blake found the back of the Trim Celtic net to make it 2-0.

Man of the match, Ryan Murphy, got the third goal six minutes into the second-half. Murphy was sublime for Parkvilla all night. A late goal for Jake Murray was nothing more than a consolation for Robbie Horgan's side.

It wasn't until after the third goal that Trim Celtic really started to ask a few questions of the Parkvilla defence but Daniel Gilmour dealt reasonably well with most threats that came his way between the sticks.

Referee, Patrick Henry, was kept busy during this feisty derby clash. Henry dished out 13 yellow cards, and Trim Celtic finished the contest with only eight men.

Parkvilla had the ball in the back of the Trim Celtic net after only three minutes. Ben Gibney's initial shot was blocked down before the ball fell at the feet of Heavey who finished well but was judged to be offside.

A few minutes later, Gerard Murray was forced to make a goal-line clearance to deny Heavey the opener. In the early exchanges, Trim had a few half-chances but nothing that caused too much stress for the Parkvilla defence.

The men from Navan then had a penalty appeal when Murphy hit the deck inside the Trim Celtic box, however the official waved play on.

Trim Celtic started to find their feet a bit and they had their own penalty claim in the 24th minute after Gary Gibney broke into the danger area but again, the referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge and the danger was averted.

The men in green and white hoops almost hit the front when Callum Ennis got on the end of a fantastic James Goggins cross but his effort just flashed past the post.

Eventually, the deadlock was broken when Jamie Blake played a lovely ball through for Heavey and the striker calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Just before half-time, a Daniel Gilmour kick-out was well controlled by Heavey who picked out Murphy with a pass and he assisted Blake to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Six minutes after the restart, Murphy got Parkvilla's third goal and Trim Celtic looked shaken. The response of urgency required from the Trim men didn't really materialise but Horgan's men did start to create a few more chances for themselves.

A good ball from Anthony Burke caused a goal-mouth scramble but the Villa defence dealt well with the danger. Aaron Williams saw his shot on goal in the 65th minute fly inches over the crossbar before a powerful shot from Luke McMahon was saved by Gilmour.

Villa netminder Gilmour pulled off a couple of more stops before Trim Celtic's discipline started to become a real issue. In the 86th minute, Adam Fox was given a second yellow card when he fouled Murphy who was on the counterattack. Sean Fitzgerald was given his marching orders when he also got a second yellow for a foul on Murphy.

Deep into injury time, a long-range Conor Walsh shot was spilt by Gilmour and Jake Murray was first to react to give Trim Celtic a consolation goal. The home side were reduced to eight men when Callum Ennis was dispatched to the showers by the referee. Moments later the final whistle confirmed all three points for Parkvilla.

Parkvilla - Daniel Gilmour; Ross Harpour, Carl Jordan, James Friery, Danny Doggett, Ben Gibney, Kian Ratty, Ryan Murphy, Jamie Blake, Eoghan Heavey, Paul Cunningham. Subs - Craig Friary for James Friary 65m, Roy Browne for Cunningham 69m, Lee Williamson for Ratty 75m.

Trim Celtic - Conor Gilsenan; Ciaran O'Connell, James Goggins, Gerard Murray, Sean Fitzgerald, Conor Walsh, Callum Ennis, Aaron Williams, Brian Faulkner, Gary Gibney, Adam Fox. Subs - Jake Murray for Gibney, Anthony Burke for Faulkner both 58m, Luke McMahon for Williams 71m, Paul Munnelly for O'Connell.

Referee - Pat Henry