MATCH REPORT : Seaford Rock United 1-2 Enniskerry YC
LSL Sunday Div 3
A late winner secured the points for a fitter and more physically dominant Enniskerry YC against Seaford in this opening day Division 3 encounter.
The opening exchanges were evenly matched, with 29 minutes passing before the first notable effort on goal, when Andy Roe dispossessed Enniskerry's Steve Roberson and found Matt Tappan in the left hand channel, but the Welshman's left-footed drive rattled the crossbar.
Moments later, Enniskerry seemed certain to break the deadlock when a long ball caught the home defence flat, leaving Sam de Souza through on goal , but he was brilliantly denied by Eoin English.
Enniskerry finished the half strongly and it took a sensational Stephen Harding tackle to prevent a certain goal in the 43rd minute , before the visitors took the lead in the final minute of the half.
It was a superbly taken goal by central midfielder Evan Brock, who received a throw in to feet before spinning away from Seaford skipper Tommy Crichlow and firing a low right footed shot into the corner of the net.
Seaford started the second half well, enjoying good possession without threatening the visitors' goal, but drew level midway through the half. Keeper Craigslist Williams got only a weak punch on an in-swinging Crichlow corner. The loose ball fell to sub Mike Kane whose effort was blocked, only for Coly McCarron to pick up the rebound and curl an inch-perfect shot into the top corner.
The home side continued to threaten on the break, particularly when Mark Cullen teed up Gordo Baird, but his powerful drive drifted wide. However Enniskerry's substitutes turned the match in their favour, and it was one for them who punished the home side defence letting a ball bounce on the right side of their defence , bravely nicking the ball past English for it to be headed in at the back post, despite offside appeals.
Seaford race was run at this point, and they struggled to implement any sustained pressure during the final stages, before the visitors greeted Tony Bell's final whistle with a jubilant roar.
The better team won, and despite the defeat, Seaford can take heart from a spirited display against a very strong opponent at Division 3 level. Particularly encouraging were the performances of the seven debutants , and with more time to gel the team together and build up fitness there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the coming season.
Seaford: E English; M Smith, R Murray A Finnegan, S Harding; T Cruchlow (c), M Tappin, G Baird; C McCarron (T Bennett, 77), M Cullen, A Roe (M Kane, 65). Goal: C McCarron (67)
Enniskerry YC: C Williams. T Mahon, B Kavanagh, S Rogerson, P Breslin, J Kohns, A Keating, E Brock, G Melton, S De Sousa, J Mee; Subs: M Kellys, A Cassell, T Hall
Rockfield Park - Saturday 29 August 2015
The opening exchanges were evenly matched, with 29 minutes passing before the first notable effort on goal, when Andy Roe dispossessed Enniskerry's Steve Roberson and found Matt Tappan in the left hand channel, but the Welshman's left-footed drive rattled the crossbar.
Moments later, Enniskerry seemed certain to break the deadlock when a long ball caught the home defence flat, leaving Sam de Souza through on goal , but he was brilliantly denied by Eoin English.
Enniskerry finished the half strongly and it took a sensational Stephen Harding tackle to prevent a certain goal in the 43rd minute , before the visitors took the lead in the final minute of the half.
It was a superbly taken goal by central midfielder Evan Brock, who received a throw in to feet before spinning away from Seaford skipper Tommy Crichlow and firing a low right footed shot into the corner of the net.
Seaford started the second half well, enjoying good possession without threatening the visitors' goal, but drew level midway through the half. Keeper Craigslist Williams got only a weak punch on an in-swinging Crichlow corner. The loose ball fell to sub Mike Kane whose effort was blocked, only for Coly McCarron to pick up the rebound and curl an inch-perfect shot into the top corner.
The home side continued to threaten on the break, particularly when Mark Cullen teed up Gordo Baird, but his powerful drive drifted wide. However Enniskerry's substitutes turned the match in their favour, and it was one for them who punished the home side defence letting a ball bounce on the right side of their defence , bravely nicking the ball past English for it to be headed in at the back post, despite offside appeals.
Seaford race was run at this point, and they struggled to implement any sustained pressure during the final stages, before the visitors greeted Tony Bell's final whistle with a jubilant roar.
The better team won, and despite the defeat, Seaford can take heart from a spirited display against a very strong opponent at Division 3 level. Particularly encouraging were the performances of the seven debutants , and with more time to gel the team together and build up fitness there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the coming season.
Seaford: E English; M Smith, R Murray A Finnegan, S Harding; T Cruchlow (c), M Tappin, G Baird; C McCarron (T Bennett, 77), M Cullen, A Roe (M Kane, 65). Goal: C McCarron (67)
Enniskerry YC: C Williams. T Mahon, B Kavanagh, S Rogerson, P Breslin, J Kohns, A Keating, E Brock, G Melton, S De Sousa, J Mee; Subs: M Kellys, A Cassell, T Hall
Rockfield Park - Saturday 29 August 2015