The final league game of the season was away to Villa who were beaten by a single goal by Charlie in the home match earlier in the season.

Ethan carried the armband with pride and led the forward line with Kevin from the kick off. Mooncoin showed attacking verve first off with good trickery from Kevin down the left side including a cheeky nutmeg.

Ten minutes in however Villa began to grow into the game breaking clear of the defence and pulling an effort wide of the post.

Two further chances in the minutes that followed saw Fionn forced to make two saves to his right.

Mooncoin countered and Aaron played a precision pass down the left channel into Kevin whose shot was heading into the top corner only to be tipped over by the keeper.

The resulting corner was cleared and Villa broke forward from midfield and a great ball to their forward was met with a fine finish which didn’t give Fionn a chance. One nil to Villa after 20 minutes. Killian came on up front and pressured the Villa defence in his usual style.

Mooncoin were unlucky not to equalise just after the kick off when Sean headed the ball wide from a corner. Indeed, the delivery from Cian and Ethan from corners was excellent throughout the half.

The second half began with an early free kick which Aaron hit just over the bar. Minutes later Aaron had a volley saved from Cian’s whipped free kick. After some clever movement Viktor hit a shot wide of the post after a long pass up the left side from Tadhg.

Tadhg defended with typical authority second half along with Padraig and Sean giving Fionn in goal very little to do. Mooncoin were in the ascendancy with another free from distance from Tom sailing just over the bar.

A shot from Charlie was saved shortly after following some neat footwork in the opposition area.

A long shot from Sean was dealt with comfortably late on. Eoin worked tirelessly on the right. With seconds left everyone including Fionn got forward from a corner. After it was cleared James single-handedly stopped a Villa break with almost all of our players forward. An intense match finished one nil.

This group of lads deserved at least an equaliser from this performance and no longer play with their heads down after they concede showing a resilience which has grown over the course of the year.

With Ballinroad losing to Bohs this evening it looks as though 5th place may belong to Mooncoin which is some turnaround for these boys after a tough start to the season. A cup quarter final awaits with plenty to play for yet.

Many thanks once  again to our jersey sponsors in Dragonz Den.