Stephan's super strike wins the cup for Villa
Division Two Cup Final:
Milford Athletic 2 - Prendergast Villa 3
Venue: Monkton Lane, Monkton
Referee: Paul Rooney.
Assistants: Keith McNiffe, James Olyott.
Fourth official: Steve Williams.
A wonderful solo goal from Stephan Atyeo saw Prendergast Villa claim the division two cup after an entertaining clash with Milford Athletic where both teams gave 100% as referee Paul Rooney tried hard to keep the game flowing at all times.
With just seven minutes remaining and the score locked at 2-2, Atyeo intercepted a ball inside his own half and skipped past several would-be tackles, before unleashing a 30-yard shot that dipped over a despairing Ian Hawkins in the Athletic goal.
Repeat victory for Villa
It meant the Villa were able to celebrate winning the trophy for the second time in their history, and their first success since 1999, when ironically they defeated Athletic by the same scoreline at the same ground, when Michael ‘Glenys’ Davies scored the late match winner for the Villa.
After a cagey opening, the first major talking point came 12 minutes in when Athletic’s Shane Walsh was brought down by Liam Brown. Referee Paul Rooney adjudged the foul to be just outside the area, despite Athletic’s claims for a penalty, and Stuart MacDonald’s quickly taken free kick was well saved by Villa keeper Ben Henton.
Deadlock broken by Wilks’ super strike
A Walsh cross then beat Henton but shaved the outside of the post, before a Dan Wilks effort at the other end nearly deflected into the path of Richard Hilling in front of goal.
But seven minutes before half time, Wilks broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Athletic failed to clear the lines from a Joe George corner, and when the ball fell to the right back, he hammered an unstoppable 25-yard into the top corner for a terrific solo strike.
Frantic action – and goals
It stayed that way until the interval, but if the start to the first half was cagey, then the opening 11 minutes of the second period was far more thrilling because just two minutes after the re-start Athletic were level when Jason Hiscocks tapped in a Walsh cross from close range.
But Villa immediately went back in front when Joe George, a real threat all night on the left wing, fired home a long throw in from Ben John.
Athletic captain Gary Power then fired a shot straight at Henton, before Ashley Cleevely levelled matters again when he cleverly curled in a left-footed free kick after 56 minutes.
Fast and furious to the end
The exchanges stayed fast and furious as Walsh then saw his angled shot parried away by Henton, before Guy White was inches away with a long range strike for Villa.
Sean Halpin then went close twice in as many minutes for Adrian Blundell’s men, heading a George corner against the bar before just failing to get enough on his shot when through on goal.
But then came Atyeo’s magnificent strike, sparking big celebrations amongst Villa players and supporters.
There was still time for late drama as Villa’s Henton clattered into Walsh, but although referee Rooney seemed set to award a penalty, his assistant Keith McNiffe had already flagged for offside.
And then the Villa closed out the dying moments, before captain Simon Ellis jubilantly received the trophy from Pembrokeshire Football League chairman Phil Devonald.
Milford Athletic: Ian Hawkins, Nathan Lewis, Jamie Bird, Leigh Power, Jason Hiscocks, Chris Scoble, Stuart MacDonald, Gary Power (capt), Shane Walsh, Ashley Cleevely, Shaun Bird. Subs: Jamie Davies, Paul De La Rosa, Haydn Dimond.
Prendergast Villa: Ben Henton, Guy White, Stephan Atyeo, Dan Wilks, Richard Hilling, Darren O’Leary, Liam Brown, Ben John, Simon Ellis (capt), Sean Halpin, Joe George. Subs: Steven Britton, Michael Atyeo, Jamie Barrett.
PHOTOS:
Prendergast Villa celebrate winning the cup
Prendergast Villa skipper Simon Ellis receives the cup from Pembs league chairman Phil Devonald
Gallant runners-up Milford Athletic
Cup final officials with medals
Goal scorers for triumphant Prendergast Villa were Stephan Atyeo, Joe George and Dan Wilks