A rare event on Saturday as both Seaford teams line-up in back-to-back fixtures at Rockfield Park.
First, with a 12.00 noon kick off, the seconds host Ardmore Rovers in Division 3. The visitors have started the season strongly, currently occupying the final promotion spot, and their form in front of goal has been especially impressive, averaging no fewer than five goals per game so far. But they needed a last-minute winner to take the points in the sides' previous encounter in Bray in September, after Garrett Connolly had twice levelled for Seaford. The main connection between the two clubs is former Seaford legend Dan Kiely, who now has a coaching role at Rovers. After that, the firsts host Beggsboro in Major 1B, kicking off at 2.00pm. It's been a frustrating season so far for John Downes's side, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table with just one league win so far. But they did record an extra-time victory over this weekend's opposition in the Leinster Junior Cup, as Conor Tobin sent Seaford through with a penalty in a 4-3 win. It wasn't the first goal-filled encounter between the sides in recent years. Last year, Beggsboro hammered Seaford 5-1 early in the season before the blues got their own back in the reverse fixture, whilst the previous season a hat-trick from Mark Sullivan, recently returned to action after a year out, saw Seaford claim all three points in Cabra with a 6-3 win.
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Seaford suffered cup eliminations in two consecutive weeks after a 1-2 defeat against AUL Senior Saturday outfit Columbas Rovers brought and end to their LFA Junior Cup run last Saturday at Rockfield Park. Conor Tobin had given Seaford the lead with a first half penalty, but the visitors fought back to progress.
Next up for the firsts is a return to league action and trip to the Iveagh Grounds to face St James's Gate, on Saturday at 7.30pm, whilst the seconds are also on the road, away at Knockmitten United with a 2.00pm kick off. A tough afternoon for the club, as both sides fell to defeats. The firsts gave a strong performance which wasn't reflected in the scoreline, as a very strong Bluebell United side ran out victors by three goals to nil, whilst the seconds were also beaten on the road, losing 1-0 to Malahide United.
Japanese striker Kohei Masaki scored with his left foot, his right foot and his head as Seaford secured an amazing comeback win over Clontarf in LSL Major 1B. The visitors had led 1-0, 2-1 and 4-2 before a storming finish from Seaford claimed all three points. As well as Masaki's hat-trick, Chris Monk, Garrett Connolly and Mark Sullivan were all on target. Read all about it here.
Meanwhile the seconds had a comeback of their own against second placed Balbriggan in DIvision 3. Having fallen behind late in the first half, David Devaney's stunning long-ranger earned a 1-1- draw. Match report here.
Both sides will play simultaneous home fixtures on Saturday, kicking off at 12.00pm at Rockfield Park.
The firsts are still in search of their first league win of the season, and host familiar adversaries in Clontarf FC, who are in a similar situation, albeit having played fewer matches in LSL Major 1B. The two sides have enjoyed a healthy rivalry ever since Seaford's switch to Saturday football. Seaford completed a home and away double over the reds in the 2015/16 season, and also, as it happens, secured their first win of the 2016/17 season over against the same opponents, albeit that Tarf got their own back a week later. Most recently, the two sides played out an entertaining draw at Stella Maris in August, with Mike O'Neill heading a last-gasp equaliser for Seaford. In contrast, the seconds have not faced Balbriggan FC in recent seasons. The visitors boast a formidable record coming into the fixture, with seven wins and a single defeat so far inb Division 3, racking up an impressive goal difference. Seaford, in contrast, have suffered from inconsistency so far, although they recorded a battling performance against DCU the last time out, having run up a big scoreline against Earl Celtic in their previous home match. |
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