Blessington AFC 0-2 Seaford Rock United
LSL Sat Div 3
Another foul throw by Dave Devaney
SSeaford's seconds produced a characteristically resilient display to grind out a win in torrential conditions in Kildare.
The match followed a familiar pattern for the men in white, who have picked up number of dogged away wins throughout the campaign. The opening period was evenly matched but low on chances. Seaford opened the scoring with their first effort on target in the 29th minute. Alan Brennan's huge headed clearance was picked up by Paul Lydon, who raced into the right hand channel before squaring the ball to strike partner Frank Mulhall, who showed typical composure to control the ball and fire it past Sean Murphy.
Seaford ought to have doubled their lead within seconds of the restart after a brilliant move involving Andy Roe and Shane Lauritsch led to Mulhall picking out Ross O'Riordan, but he volleyed straight at Murphy. Meanwhile Blessington were restricted to long rangers, particularly from the left boot of star man David Nolan.
The visitors went close to making it 2-0 early in the second period when winger Shane Lauritsch brilliantly evaded two defenders before picking out Lydon, who teed up Roe, only for a brilliant block by Blessington's Gary Mahon to deny what seemed a certain goal.
Blessington began to dominate territorially but Seaford's back four stood firm and did a fine job protecting Eoin English's goal. As the hailstones hammered down, English only had only one notable save to make, making a superb stop to deny substitute Barry Murphy.
And the crucial second goal arrived with less than ten minutes to play, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Lydon, who collected Roe's pass near the corner of the penalty area and curled a stunning 25-yard strike into the corner of Murphy's net.
There was still time for substitute Stephen Faherty to squander a brilliant opportunity to add a third after playing a one-two with Lauritsch, but the plaudits belonged to English and his defence, whose determination not to concede had won the day.
Seafprd: Eoin English; Dave Devaney, Robbie Murray, Alan Brennan, Darren Grealish (Steve Harding, 58); Barry Kirwan, Andy Roe, Shane Lauritsch, Ross O'Riordan; Paul Lydon, Frank Mulhall (Stephen Faherty, 69). Goals: Mulhall (29), Lydon (81)
Blessington: Sean Murphy, Sean Belde , Gary Mahon, Stephen Creighton, Chris Reszka, Darren Larkin, Stephen Carroll, Daragh Ryan, Eddie Boylan, David Nolan, Scott Doyle. Subs: Eoin O'Toole, Conor Atkinson, Barry Murphy
Crosschapel - 21 May 2016
The match followed a familiar pattern for the men in white, who have picked up number of dogged away wins throughout the campaign. The opening period was evenly matched but low on chances. Seaford opened the scoring with their first effort on target in the 29th minute. Alan Brennan's huge headed clearance was picked up by Paul Lydon, who raced into the right hand channel before squaring the ball to strike partner Frank Mulhall, who showed typical composure to control the ball and fire it past Sean Murphy.
Seaford ought to have doubled their lead within seconds of the restart after a brilliant move involving Andy Roe and Shane Lauritsch led to Mulhall picking out Ross O'Riordan, but he volleyed straight at Murphy. Meanwhile Blessington were restricted to long rangers, particularly from the left boot of star man David Nolan.
The visitors went close to making it 2-0 early in the second period when winger Shane Lauritsch brilliantly evaded two defenders before picking out Lydon, who teed up Roe, only for a brilliant block by Blessington's Gary Mahon to deny what seemed a certain goal.
Blessington began to dominate territorially but Seaford's back four stood firm and did a fine job protecting Eoin English's goal. As the hailstones hammered down, English only had only one notable save to make, making a superb stop to deny substitute Barry Murphy.
And the crucial second goal arrived with less than ten minutes to play, courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Lydon, who collected Roe's pass near the corner of the penalty area and curled a stunning 25-yard strike into the corner of Murphy's net.
There was still time for substitute Stephen Faherty to squander a brilliant opportunity to add a third after playing a one-two with Lauritsch, but the plaudits belonged to English and his defence, whose determination not to concede had won the day.
Seafprd: Eoin English; Dave Devaney, Robbie Murray, Alan Brennan, Darren Grealish (Steve Harding, 58); Barry Kirwan, Andy Roe, Shane Lauritsch, Ross O'Riordan; Paul Lydon, Frank Mulhall (Stephen Faherty, 69). Goals: Mulhall (29), Lydon (81)
Blessington: Sean Murphy, Sean Belde , Gary Mahon, Stephen Creighton, Chris Reszka, Darren Larkin, Stephen Carroll, Daragh Ryan, Eddie Boylan, David Nolan, Scott Doyle. Subs: Eoin O'Toole, Conor Atkinson, Barry Murphy
Crosschapel - 21 May 2016