Dean Walsh scored a hat-trick for Villa to bring his Azzurri Premier League tally of goals to 19 as his side moved three points clear at the summit of the table after they were made to work for a 4-3 success over Ballinroad on Sunday morning.
The former Waterford player broke the deadlock on 34 minutes, but it wasn’t long before the hosts were level through a Fearghail O’Currin goal two minutes later.
It was Walsh that regained the lead for Conor Coad’s side on 43 minutes, and when Eoghan Rea added a third goal for his side on the sound of the halftime whistle, they looked in control.
Joey Veale had other ideas when he scored a stunning free-kick to bring Ballinroad back into the game on 53 minutes, but Walsh regained the two-goal advantage soon afterward, and although O’Currin grabbed his side of the game seven minutes from time, they couldn’t get an equaliser.
MADIKA BRACE
Two goals from Regix Madika saw Tramore keep up the pressure on league leaders Villa as they got the better of Carrick United at Graun Park on Saturday night.
Madika opened the scoring on 43 minutes before adding a crucial second on the hour mark as his side keep within sight of the leaders, but they have played one more game in what is going to be an exciting race to the title in 2022.
HIBS WIN
Hibernians came from two Andrew Power goals down to get the better of Waterford Crystal in their meeting at Crystal Park on Sunday morning.
After Power scored on three & nine minutes respectively, the Mitchell Kennedy Park outfit got back into the game through a well-taken Adham Masood goal on 11 minutes.
Glenn Hawe brought his side level with a fine right-footed strike on the half-hour mark before the second half belonged to Mark O’Keeffe. He put his side in front through a 62nd-minute penalty after he was fouled, and bagged all three points in second-half injury time with a dink of Crystal keeper Dean Purcell.
BIG WIN
At the other end of the table, Dungarvan United put breathing space between themselves and joint-bottom side Piltown after recording a 3-2 win in their clash played at Kildalton Park.
Kenny Moore, Mark Ferncombe, and Gavin Crotty netted for the Old Borough outfit with Michael Byrne and Alan Walsh on target for the hosts.
The other game of the weekend between Ferrybank and Southend United was called off due to Covid 19 concerns in the Southend club.
The league will now break for the Christmas period and will resume on the week commencing January 5th.
