Clontarf 2-3 Seaford Rock United
LSL Sat Div 3
Seaford's seconds maintained their strong recent form with a third straight win, away to Clontarf, courtesy of two late goals.
It was a poor first half for the visitors overall, despite taking the lead on 11 minutes. Darren Grealish found Marc Smith in the left hand channel, and he produced a fine first-time cross which was converted by Shane Lauritsch.
But the whites' centre haves struggled with Clontarf's direct balls in behind them, and the home side soon turned the match around. The equaliser was a calamity for Grealish, as keeper Dylan O'Reilly deflected a right wing cross into his bass, and the ball bounced into the net for an own goal.
Minutes later, Clontarf hit the front when a deflected free kick was converted from close range.
Strong words were exchanged in the Seaford huddle at half time, and they had the desired effect, as the visitors were much improved after the break, even if they needed some smart stops by O'Reilly to keep them in the game.
The introduction of hard-running fullback Randal Boyle off the subs' bench helped turn the tide in Seaford's favour, and it was Boyle's fellow Northerner Coly McCarron who made it 2-2, running on to a superb through-ball from Frank Mulhall to round the keeper and finish via the post.
The comeback was complete with barely five minutes to play, when Lauritsch found Donal Howley, who beat two opponents before firing home under the keeper.
Seaford showed resilience to hang on despite Clontarf's late onslaught to give themselves a positive league record for the first time in the campaign. A promotion drive may seem far-fetched at this stage, but having built some momentum in recent weeks, there are plenty of grounds for optimism moving into the business end of the season.
Seaford: D O'Reilly; M Kane (R Boyle, 71) , D Grealish, A Herenda, S Harding; T Crichlow (c), M Smith , F Mulhall, D Howley, S Lauritsch (R O'Riordan, 83); C McCarron Goals: S Lauritsch (11, C McCarron (77), D Howley (83)
St Anne's Park- 2 April 2016
It was a poor first half for the visitors overall, despite taking the lead on 11 minutes. Darren Grealish found Marc Smith in the left hand channel, and he produced a fine first-time cross which was converted by Shane Lauritsch.
But the whites' centre haves struggled with Clontarf's direct balls in behind them, and the home side soon turned the match around. The equaliser was a calamity for Grealish, as keeper Dylan O'Reilly deflected a right wing cross into his bass, and the ball bounced into the net for an own goal.
Minutes later, Clontarf hit the front when a deflected free kick was converted from close range.
Strong words were exchanged in the Seaford huddle at half time, and they had the desired effect, as the visitors were much improved after the break, even if they needed some smart stops by O'Reilly to keep them in the game.
The introduction of hard-running fullback Randal Boyle off the subs' bench helped turn the tide in Seaford's favour, and it was Boyle's fellow Northerner Coly McCarron who made it 2-2, running on to a superb through-ball from Frank Mulhall to round the keeper and finish via the post.
The comeback was complete with barely five minutes to play, when Lauritsch found Donal Howley, who beat two opponents before firing home under the keeper.
Seaford showed resilience to hang on despite Clontarf's late onslaught to give themselves a positive league record for the first time in the campaign. A promotion drive may seem far-fetched at this stage, but having built some momentum in recent weeks, there are plenty of grounds for optimism moving into the business end of the season.
Seaford: D O'Reilly; M Kane (R Boyle, 71) , D Grealish, A Herenda, S Harding; T Crichlow (c), M Smith , F Mulhall, D Howley, S Lauritsch (R O'Riordan, 83); C McCarron Goals: S Lauritsch (11, C McCarron (77), D Howley (83)
St Anne's Park- 2 April 2016