Zubkov treble fires Temple Villa to decisive home victory
Temple Villa 5 Coolraine 1
By John Dingle
A hat-trick from Nazar Zubkov coupled with a double from Mark Gannon saw Temple Villa record a big win over Coolraine in this CCFL Senior Division game at TP Hickey Park last Sunday morning.
While it was the visitors that dominated the early stages, Villa still struck for the opening goal. Two further goals before the break had the hosts in control with Coolraine just staying in contention from the penalty spot.
Villa had the points wrapped up by the hour mark with two more goals without reply as Zubkov claimed the match ball with the last goal of the game.
Both teams had identical records beforehand with a win and a loss from two games played. Villa had claimed the First Division title last season with Coolraine also promoted as runners up and both sides will be keen to consolidate their top flight positions this season.
The Offaly outfit had the first chance when Jack Dunne fired wide with Kieran McNally replying for Villa with a shot over the bar. Coolraine earned the first corner kick after eight minutes and had further opportunities to open the scoring as Robbie Bracken had a shot saved and Eoghan Meacle fired wide.
Coolraine dominated the play up to the midway point of the half. Alex Coughlan almost found the net but saw his attempt from the edge of the penalty area go just wide as the keeper advanced. Dunne was also off target but the early promise shown by the visitors faded as the half progressed.
The home side gradually got on top with Gannon’s shot blocked behind for a corner 25 minutes, and another corner followed from which Neill Macken saw his shot blocked on the goal line.
Villa made the breakthrough after 28 minutes when a corner was not cleared by Coolraine and Zubkov took advantage when firing left-footed past the keeper to the net.
Although Coolraine tried to reply with Dunne shooting over, the hosts doubled their lead after 36 minutes. A long clearance from Conor McCormack fell to Zubkov, who slotted the ball past the keeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
The celebrations had barely died down though when the visitors struck for their opening goal. Robbie Bracken was taken down inside the box and Coughlan sent the keeper the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.
However, Villa restored their two goal advantage five minutes from the interval. Aaron O’Neill did well in the build-up and Gannon finished the move with a neat finish. It ended the action in the opening half with Villa overcoming a sluggish start to lead 3-1 at the break.
The game was ended as a contest by the hour mark as Villa added on two more goals to their tally. Benny Magennis was wide with an early chance for the home team but Gannon found the range to make it 4-1 after 52 minutes. Macken's initial shot was blocked but the alert Gannon was on hand to send the rebound to the net.
Villa made it 5-1 on 57 minutes. Zubkov completed his hat-trick when his shot from the right caught out the Coolraine keeper to creep in at the far post.
While the three points were safely secured by Villa at this stage, the visitors kept going and almost pulled a goal back midway through the half. Substitute James Daly took aim but saw his attempt pushed away by McCormack. From a Villa corner, Macken shot over with Robbie Bracken also off target for the Offaly outfit.
The Mount Temple based side was only denied a sixth goal by the woodwork with five minutes remaining. Substitute Michael Okpeaye took aim from the left but saw his strike crash off the bar.
Coolraine's last chance fell to another sub but Mickey Feery could only send his shot wide of the target. Gannon was also in pursuit of a hat-trick to match Zubkov for scoring honours and had the last chance of the game on the stroke of full time but saw his shot saved by Conor Mullins. The final whistle soon sounded to end the action between the two Senior Division new boys.
Man of the match: Nazar Zubkov (Temple Villa). The former Athlone Town player had his hat-trick sealed by the hour mark with three fine strikes all showing the deadly accuracy of the Villa number ten.
Talking point: Conor McCormack starting between the posts for Villa with regular goalkeeper Paul Bannon out injured. While the Caulry GAA man has played in goals for Westmeath, this apparently was his first time to don the keeper’s jersey in a soccer match.
Temple Villa: Conor McCormack, Dean O’Neill, Liam Flynn, James Craughwell, Ben Moran, Neill Macken, Nazar Zubkov, Mark Gannon, Aaron O’Neill, Benny Magennis, Kieran McNally. Subs: Cian Fallon for McNally (61 mins); Darren Nugent, Michael Okpeaye and Jack Sheerin for Flynn, Zubkov and A O’Neill (72); Sam Nolan for Craughwell (81).
Coolraine FC: Conor Mullins, Ben Kilroe, Chris Bracken, Pa Murphy, Ross Kinnarney, Jordan Daly, Eoghan Meacle, Joe Dwyer, Alex Coughlan, Jack Dunne, Robbie Bracken. Subs: Mickey Feery for Meacle (30 mins); James Daly for Dunne (58); Ross Boland for Dwyer (62); Jack Farrelly for C Bracken (80).
Referee: Vicki McEnery (Athlone).