Match Report: Newbridge 1-5 Seaford Rock United
LFA Junior Cup
Chris Monk netted a first-half hat-trick as Seaford eased into the third round of the Leinster Junior Cup with a comprehensive win over Newbridge.
It was a nightmare start for the Penguins, who fell behind after 52 seconds, when Dylan Burke pounced on an undercooked backpass and, with virtually Newbridge's first touch of the match, fired past Neil Howarth to open the scoring.
But Seaford wasted no time turning things around, and were not only level but in front within a matter of minutes. Right winger Garrett Connolly skinned Gary Murray and squared for Sam Browne, whose miscued shot was converted at the back post by Monk.
And Monk, wearing the captain's armband for the first time, made it 2-1 on give minutes when he pounced on a moment's hesitency keeper Rob Abbott and a defender to knock in his second.
Seaford dominated possession, with their midfield trio of Browne, Robbie Creevy and Al Kennedy zipping the ball around impressively, creating a number of threatening situations, but Newbridge also offered a threat, with dangerous striker Barry Usher thwarted by Howarth after a skilful turn in the box, and Josh Green heading wide from a Tim Walters cross.
At the other end, Monk nearly got a third following a Paul Tansey corner. but his back-post effort was deflected onto the crossbar. However he didn't have to wait long to complete his first ever hat-trick for the club, nodding home a Connolly cross late in the first half, and straight after half time Harry Crowe added a fourth following a great assist from Browne.
The Penguins controlled the match thoroughly in the second half and there was never any prospect of a Newbridge comeback, even if the visitors saw a number of chances go begging. Darragh Connolly was lively after being introduced off the bench, firing wide once at the near post and once at the far, and also teeing up Crowe for a golden opportunity, but the big striker blazed over. In the end, the only further goal was from Jim Nolan, five years almost to the day since he last notched, when he converted from close range after Crowe had flicked on Alex Smirnoff's corner.
The win makes it three cup wins in a row for Seaford, who now return to league action with a Friday night trip to face Leicester Celtic.
Seaford: Neil Howarth, Mike O'Neill (Jim Nolan, 70), Paul Tansey (Gavin Walsh, 70) , Stephen Kelly, Cian McGuinness (Eoin Mahon, 56), Sam Browne, Robbie Creevy, (Darragh Connolly, 59), Al Kennedy, Garrett Connolly (Alex Smirnoff, 59), Chris Monk, Harry Crowe. Goals: Monk (3, 5, 44) =Crowe (47) Nolan (75)
Newbridge: Rob Abbott, Ciaran Haughton (John Toland, 84), Gary Murray, Ian Hughes, Tim Walters, Alex Maguire, Josh Green, Eoin Walsh, Dylan Burke (Ciaran Glynn), Barry Usher (Jack Behan, 84), Anthony Clifford (Ciaran Gallagher, 56). Goal: Burke (1)
Kilcullen Community Centre, 16 October 2019
It was a nightmare start for the Penguins, who fell behind after 52 seconds, when Dylan Burke pounced on an undercooked backpass and, with virtually Newbridge's first touch of the match, fired past Neil Howarth to open the scoring.
But Seaford wasted no time turning things around, and were not only level but in front within a matter of minutes. Right winger Garrett Connolly skinned Gary Murray and squared for Sam Browne, whose miscued shot was converted at the back post by Monk.
And Monk, wearing the captain's armband for the first time, made it 2-1 on give minutes when he pounced on a moment's hesitency keeper Rob Abbott and a defender to knock in his second.
Seaford dominated possession, with their midfield trio of Browne, Robbie Creevy and Al Kennedy zipping the ball around impressively, creating a number of threatening situations, but Newbridge also offered a threat, with dangerous striker Barry Usher thwarted by Howarth after a skilful turn in the box, and Josh Green heading wide from a Tim Walters cross.
At the other end, Monk nearly got a third following a Paul Tansey corner. but his back-post effort was deflected onto the crossbar. However he didn't have to wait long to complete his first ever hat-trick for the club, nodding home a Connolly cross late in the first half, and straight after half time Harry Crowe added a fourth following a great assist from Browne.
The Penguins controlled the match thoroughly in the second half and there was never any prospect of a Newbridge comeback, even if the visitors saw a number of chances go begging. Darragh Connolly was lively after being introduced off the bench, firing wide once at the near post and once at the far, and also teeing up Crowe for a golden opportunity, but the big striker blazed over. In the end, the only further goal was from Jim Nolan, five years almost to the day since he last notched, when he converted from close range after Crowe had flicked on Alex Smirnoff's corner.
The win makes it three cup wins in a row for Seaford, who now return to league action with a Friday night trip to face Leicester Celtic.
Seaford: Neil Howarth, Mike O'Neill (Jim Nolan, 70), Paul Tansey (Gavin Walsh, 70) , Stephen Kelly, Cian McGuinness (Eoin Mahon, 56), Sam Browne, Robbie Creevy, (Darragh Connolly, 59), Al Kennedy, Garrett Connolly (Alex Smirnoff, 59), Chris Monk, Harry Crowe. Goals: Monk (3, 5, 44) =Crowe (47) Nolan (75)
Newbridge: Rob Abbott, Ciaran Haughton (John Toland, 84), Gary Murray, Ian Hughes, Tim Walters, Alex Maguire, Josh Green, Eoin Walsh, Dylan Burke (Ciaran Glynn), Barry Usher (Jack Behan, 84), Anthony Clifford (Ciaran Gallagher, 56). Goal: Burke (1)
Kilcullen Community Centre, 16 October 2019