Classic Seaford Matches: The Demolition of Greenhills

Seaford Rock United 4-0 Greenhills Greenpark
LSL Sun Premier 
25 April 2013
Rockfield Park

Seaford bounced back from heartbreak in the cup semi-final days earlier with a brilliant performance that showcased the potential of the young attackers in the line-up.
 
Just days earlier, Seaford had been eliminated from the Polikoff Cup in the cruellest manner possible, losing a semi-final against Liffey Valley Rangers 0-1 in injury time, courtesy of a fluke own goal scored by stalwart Barry Shortt. The following Thursday they welcomed Greenhills Greenpark FC, who were at the beginning of a charge through the LSL junior divisions that would lead them into the intermediate ranks. In particular, they had won nine matches in a row, several of them by massive margins, as they stormed through the Premier Division.
 
It was a similar Seaford side that took to the field, with the only change being at centre back where John Power came in for Stevie Robinson. That meant the same energetic and skilful front four, who hassled the more experienced Greenhills defence from the outset, as Seaford edged the opening exchanges.
 
Man of the Match Rory O’Huiginn created the opening goal for Collie Barrett, as the playmaker dropped his shoulder to evade a defender before laying Barrett in, who still had a lot to do to beat another opponent before stabbing it home at the near post. 
 
Skipper Mark Hanratty almost made it two with a ferocious half-volley from 25 yards after a sloppy Greenhills pass out from the back, which the keeper parried away, but late in the first half Seaford did manage to double their advantage. Yet again it was caused by the relentless pressing by the blues’ attackers, leading to a three-on-two. Mark Sullivan squared the ball to Barrett whose mis-cue diverted the ball to Collie Dolan, and the winger took a touch before converting.
 
Greenhills had their best spell early in the second half as they threatened to find a way back into the match, but the result was put beyond doubt when Hanratty converted a penalty on the hour mark, which O’Huiginn had run with yet another tenacious recovery of the ball in an advanced area. And Seaford made it 4-0 courtesy of a typically clever free kick routine orchestrated by Hanratty, who feigned to shoot but instead laid in Sullivan to slot into the net.
 
The win proved crucial for Seaford as they eventually managed to sneak into the promotion places at the end of the season, despite losing two of their three remaining matches.