Coachford prove too strong for Village United in AUL Premier League

Village United 3

Coachford 5

Coachford stretched their unbeaten run to ten games in the Premiership after a hard-earned 5-3 victory over Village United at Silverheights.

This result now, surely means that Coachford are well on their way towards lifting the Premier title this season.

However, they did not have it all their own way by any means as Village went toe to toe with them for the full duration.

But, when push came to shove, Coachford saw the game through, on their terms in the end.

What a start though it was for Village.

Jamie Murphy combined neatly with Aaron Hennessy before going on to cross low for the available Steven O’Donnell who fired home from close range after just two minutes of play.

Coachford responded promptly and when a cross from Cialan O’Sullivan reached Luke Casey, he rifled his volley narrowly over from 20.

Then, on six minutes, it was all level once again when Luke Casey helped on for Matthew Bradley who unleashed an effort that flew into the top corner.

And when Evan O’Sullivan moved it neatly on for Luke Casey, the striker fired straight at Murphy, between the sticks for Village.

But, slack defending at the heart of the Village defence allowed Evan O’Sullivan thread one on for Jamie Griffin, who found the bottom corner with a neat finish on 11 minutes.

These early stages of the game were so exciting now and Village restored parity following some magnificent build-up play.

And when Graham Cummins found Zac McCarthy down the left channel with a weighted pass, he played it short for Aaron Hennessy, who helped on to Jamie Murphy,

The Village striker then looked up to pick out Steven O’Donnell inside the box to slam home and make it 2-2 on 18 minutes.

Dara Lynch advanced down the left flank before trying to pick out Luke Casey, but an alert James Murphy was swiftly off his line to gather before Matthew Bradley collected from Adam Murphy to rifle straight at James Murphy.

But, failure by the Village defence to clear their lines presented Coachford with a chance and it was Jamie Griffin who took advantage when he claimed the loose ball before slotting home to make it 3-2 to Coachford on 24.

Cialan O’Sullivan embarked on a mazy run down the left channel and as he tried to cut inside to gain space, Steven Thompson produced a timely intervention to save the day in the end.

Minutes later, Matthew Bradley collected from Evan O’Sullivan before seeing his crisply struck effort sail narrowly over.

And when Luke Casey drilled narrowly wide at one end, Jamie Murphy saw his cross scooped inches over for a corner by a relieved Dara Lynch.

With just one minute to the break, it was honours even once again when Aaron Hennessy saw his forceful effort strike off Chris O’Connell to wrong-foot Steven Murray and make it 3-3 at the interval.

So, the scene was now set for an expected cracking second 45 and after just minutes in, Zac McCarthy combined with Steven O’Donnell before seeing his goal-bound strike, canon off Adam Murphy.

At the other end, Matthew Bradly’s free kick arrived for Adam Murphy who forced James Murphy to scoop away to safety from his header.

Another free kick soon followed and this time, it was Evan O’Sullivan who headed wide while unattended from Bradley’s delivery.

Coachford got their noses in front when Matthew Bradly swung a cross off to the left for Casey who crossed low into the box, where Evan O’Sullivan pounced to steer home in the 52nd minute.

Coachford were certainly looking the stronger now and from Matthew Bradley’s free kick, Adam Murphy scooped into the arms of James Murphy.

But, after Jamie Murphy had a great chance to level proceedings when he hooked over, the points were in the bag for Coachford after James Murphy misjudged the ball to allow Luke Casey guide it into an empty net – 5-3 to Coachford.

Village United: James Murphy, Graham Cummins, Kyle Quinn, Craig Keegan, Steven Thompson, Shane Geraghty, Colin Hickey, Zac McCarthy, Aaron Hennessy, Steven O’Donnell and Jamie Murphy.

Subs: Scott Lawlor for Kyle Quinn (55), Patrick Mooney for Colin Hickey (75), Steven Long for Aaron Hennessy (80).

Coachford: Steven Murray, Danny Merrick, Dara Lynch, Chris O’Connell, Keith Linzell, Matthew Bradley, Evan O’Sullivan, Adam Murphy, Luke Casey, Cialan O’Sullivan and Jamie Griffen.

Subs: Cathal O’Neill for Dara Lynch (75), Neill Moynihan for Jamie Griffin (80), Michael O’Sullivan for Luke Casey (81), Gary Murphy for Evan O’Sullivan (84), Eric Murphy for Cialan O’Sullivan (87).

Referee: Paul Bowdren.