Match Report: Blackrock College 1-0 Seaford Rock United
LSL Saturday Premier 1
Seaford were left wondering how they hadn't taken all three points - never mind one - from a pulsating derby match against Blackrock College..
The reason, in large part, was Blackrock keeper Jake Macken - a former Seaford stopper - who made two superb saves in injury time to deny what would have been a deserved equaliser for the "away" team.
Seaford ought to have been in front within two minutes. Carl Doyle pounced on an undercooked backpass from Conor Lynch, only to be denied by Macken. The rebound fell to James Thompson for what seemed like a certain goal, but the winger was unable to hit the target and Blackrock were let off.
Doyle pounced on another loose pass on the difficult Rockfield Park surface on six minutes, but shot over the bar, before being denied by Macken after spinning in the box and firing in a low shot from eight yards. Blackrock's best chance of the half fell to Conor Cowhey, but Robbie Moran came off his line to save impressively.
Seaford fashioned an opening ten seconds after half time when Brian Mullally broke down the left wing to square for Andy Roe but Alan Connaughton made a saving tackle to deny him.
The crucial goal arrived on 51 minutes when Tom Cullen picked Aaron Hartnett's pocket by the corner flag before finding Brian Furey, who slotted home from the edge of the box.
Chasing the match, Seaford had plenty of the ball but struggled to fashion opportunities on goal. Substitute Alex Smirnoff showed strength to hold off an opponent but couldn't generate power on his shot, while at the other end Cullen was inches from sealing the points after seeing his finish drift just past the post.
Instead, Seaford were left wondering how an equaliser eluded them after a flurry of chances in stoppage time. Macken made two brilliant reflex saves in a minute, denying headers from Doyle and then Roe. The resulting corner led to a frantic scramble in the goalmouth, culminating in a final chance for Eoin Mahon, who prodded just over the top.
Seaford will be aggrieved to have failed to take a single point from two consecutive decent displays, but the team at least looks much more cohesive than in the early part of the season and they will approach the latter part of the season with renewed confidence.
Seaford: Robbie Moran, David Mackey (Shay Egan, 53), Eoin Mahon, Aaron Hartnett (Luke O'Sullivan, 83), Adam Finnegan, Matty Sheehan (Rory O'Huiginn, 62), Andy Roe, Owen Brayden (Alex Smirnoff, 68) James Thompson, Brian Mullally, (MJ Tierney, 62) Carl Doyle
Blackrock College: Jake Macken, Tom Sheeran, Conor Cowhey (Justin Carroll, 90+2), Conor Lynch, Alan Connaughton, Dan Bicker (Sean McCann, 60), Peter Walsh, Brian Furey, Mark McCarthy (Niall Sherin, 77), Matt Curran (Liam O'Dea, 82), Tom Curran
Rockbrook Park, 1 December 2018
The reason, in large part, was Blackrock keeper Jake Macken - a former Seaford stopper - who made two superb saves in injury time to deny what would have been a deserved equaliser for the "away" team.
Seaford ought to have been in front within two minutes. Carl Doyle pounced on an undercooked backpass from Conor Lynch, only to be denied by Macken. The rebound fell to James Thompson for what seemed like a certain goal, but the winger was unable to hit the target and Blackrock were let off.
Doyle pounced on another loose pass on the difficult Rockfield Park surface on six minutes, but shot over the bar, before being denied by Macken after spinning in the box and firing in a low shot from eight yards. Blackrock's best chance of the half fell to Conor Cowhey, but Robbie Moran came off his line to save impressively.
Seaford fashioned an opening ten seconds after half time when Brian Mullally broke down the left wing to square for Andy Roe but Alan Connaughton made a saving tackle to deny him.
The crucial goal arrived on 51 minutes when Tom Cullen picked Aaron Hartnett's pocket by the corner flag before finding Brian Furey, who slotted home from the edge of the box.
Chasing the match, Seaford had plenty of the ball but struggled to fashion opportunities on goal. Substitute Alex Smirnoff showed strength to hold off an opponent but couldn't generate power on his shot, while at the other end Cullen was inches from sealing the points after seeing his finish drift just past the post.
Instead, Seaford were left wondering how an equaliser eluded them after a flurry of chances in stoppage time. Macken made two brilliant reflex saves in a minute, denying headers from Doyle and then Roe. The resulting corner led to a frantic scramble in the goalmouth, culminating in a final chance for Eoin Mahon, who prodded just over the top.
Seaford will be aggrieved to have failed to take a single point from two consecutive decent displays, but the team at least looks much more cohesive than in the early part of the season and they will approach the latter part of the season with renewed confidence.
Seaford: Robbie Moran, David Mackey (Shay Egan, 53), Eoin Mahon, Aaron Hartnett (Luke O'Sullivan, 83), Adam Finnegan, Matty Sheehan (Rory O'Huiginn, 62), Andy Roe, Owen Brayden (Alex Smirnoff, 68) James Thompson, Brian Mullally, (MJ Tierney, 62) Carl Doyle
Blackrock College: Jake Macken, Tom Sheeran, Conor Cowhey (Justin Carroll, 90+2), Conor Lynch, Alan Connaughton, Dan Bicker (Sean McCann, 60), Peter Walsh, Brian Furey, Mark McCarthy (Niall Sherin, 77), Matt Curran (Liam O'Dea, 82), Tom Curran
Rockbrook Park, 1 December 2018