Race for possession between Bohs' Brian Nolan and Villa's Dessie Mullett. | Photos: Jim O'Sullivan
Bohemians 0; Villa 2
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Last time out, the Villa made their exit from the FAI Junior Cup when they lost at home to Dungarvan United, but on this occasion they really lifted their game and in doing so booked a place in the next stage of the Munster Cup.
In truth Bohemians never really put up a challenge of any note but one would have to give great credit to the Villa outfit who were determined to get back to winning ways. The management team of Liam Cooley and Pascal Keane made three changes from the side which lost out to the Old Borough club and their planning certainly paid off.
The Bohemians team on the night were extremely young and they did not have the experience to live with the visitors to Ben Wadding Park. The fact that they conceded a goal just before half-time did not help their cause and for long periods they appeared to lack confidence.
The game took a while to develop any sort of pattern and it was the Villa who created the first chance after 11 minutes. Eoin Ginnetty played the ball forward from his left full-back position. Ian Cantwell controlled the ball before shooting high over the crossbar from the left side of the penalty area.
Bohemians settled a little after that Villa chance but they had to depend on a free kick to try and break the deadlock but Bobby Keoghan’s set piece on 18 minutes did not trouble the visiting goalkeeper Dean Purcell. Matthew Billingham then tried his luck from a long distance on 25 minutes but again Dean Purcell was not tested.
The home side’s best chance of the entire contest arrived on 27 minutes when Kevin Moran crossed from the left but Shane Nolan headed wide in front of an empty goal. Danny Walsh thought he had given the Villa the lead two minutes later when he shot low at goal but defender Adam Heaslip cleared the ball off the line with goalkeeper Dylan Power beaten.
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