Match Report: Esker Celtic 0-1 Seaford Rock United
LSL Saturday Premier 1

Gavin Nugent’s 87th minute penalty save gave Seaford’s Premier team a hard fought 1-0 victory away to a determined Esker Celtic in St Catherine’s Park. Oli Wright’s 19th minute strike from Niall Holleran’s cross proved to be the winner in a game played in searing heat, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees during the midday kick-off.
Esker’s Darren Barr tested Nugent early on from 25 yards, picking up on a loose clearance. Seaford took control as the first half wore on, with David Mackey shooting wide from inside the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute after some tidy Seaford play down the right, with the ball dropping to Wright, who arrowed a superb strike into the bottom corner. More strong play from Holleran set Mackey up for a chance superbly cleared off the line by Dan Arbuthonot. Seaford led at the break.
The pace slowed in the second half, due to the incessant heat. Fionn Geoghegan struck a free-kick that was saved by Dean McEntee. Esker came into the game more but Alex Sinnott almost marked his debut with a goal, curling just over from 15 yards.
A darting run and cross from Christian McKenna led to a header wide from substitute Naif Alkhalaf. Esker turned on the pressure and struck the side netting on a break before were awarded a penalty with 3 minutes to go. Nugent sprang to his right to superbly turn away Mark Young’s spot-kick. Seaford held out for a vital first win of the season.
Seaford: Gavin Nugent, Conor Fennell, Gavin Walsh , Steve Kane, Fionn Geoghegan Oli Wright, Mate Salacan, (Matty Sheehan, 65) Christian McKenna (Nicolo Ferramosca, 85), Niall Holleran (Naif Alkhalaf, 65) Stephen P Kane (Alex SInnott, 26) David Mackey (Fionn O Riain, 74),
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Esker Celtic: Dean McEntee, Cian Brannigan, Aidan Mulvaney, Dan Arbuthonot, Jack Murray, Adam Smith, Jamie White, Darryl Byrne, Callum Jones, Eric Wong, Darren Barr.
Rockfield Park, 17 July 2021
Esker’s Darren Barr tested Nugent early on from 25 yards, picking up on a loose clearance. Seaford took control as the first half wore on, with David Mackey shooting wide from inside the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute after some tidy Seaford play down the right, with the ball dropping to Wright, who arrowed a superb strike into the bottom corner. More strong play from Holleran set Mackey up for a chance superbly cleared off the line by Dan Arbuthonot. Seaford led at the break.
The pace slowed in the second half, due to the incessant heat. Fionn Geoghegan struck a free-kick that was saved by Dean McEntee. Esker came into the game more but Alex Sinnott almost marked his debut with a goal, curling just over from 15 yards.
A darting run and cross from Christian McKenna led to a header wide from substitute Naif Alkhalaf. Esker turned on the pressure and struck the side netting on a break before were awarded a penalty with 3 minutes to go. Nugent sprang to his right to superbly turn away Mark Young’s spot-kick. Seaford held out for a vital first win of the season.
Seaford: Gavin Nugent, Conor Fennell, Gavin Walsh , Steve Kane, Fionn Geoghegan Oli Wright, Mate Salacan, (Matty Sheehan, 65) Christian McKenna (Nicolo Ferramosca, 85), Niall Holleran (Naif Alkhalaf, 65) Stephen P Kane (Alex SInnott, 26) David Mackey (Fionn O Riain, 74),
,
Esker Celtic: Dean McEntee, Cian Brannigan, Aidan Mulvaney, Dan Arbuthonot, Jack Murray, Adam Smith, Jamie White, Darryl Byrne, Callum Jones, Eric Wong, Darren Barr.
Rockfield Park, 17 July 2021