Match Report: UCD 1-2 Seaford FC

LSL Saturday Major 1

It took an amazing goal and an amazing save, but Seaford clung on to snatch three points they scarcely deserved against the highly talented young UCD team.

Seaford made a bright start the early stages but once UCD got a foothold in the game, they took control, with Oisin Geoghegan making a point-blank save to deny Calum Howard, and  Jack O'Flaherty almost got  clean through after out-maneuvering Craig Conlon, but  the Seaford man was able to get back around to put pressure on and the big UCD striker shot just off target.

But it was Timi SIlva who made the breakthrough for Seaford, volleying in from close-range after Michael Akingbade squared the ball to him.

UCD levelled on the stroke of half-time, as the Penguins missed several chances to clear their lines and they were punished by Patrick Collins, who shot home low from the edge of the box.

Seaford didn't waste any time restoring their lead early into the second half, and it was a stunning strike from Silva, crashing home a 20-yard volley that gave Charlie McGrath no chance.

The visitors had been second best before the half but were much improved after the break and looked more likely to add to the scoring, with Conor Fennell seeing an effort deflected just wide, before Ben Kelly fired just wide from range. 

The Students gained momentum in the final stages, and subjected the Penguins defence to an almighty onslaught. Seaford's rearguard held firm for the most part, as Conlon and skipper Al Kennedy repelled attack after attack.

​But the crucial intervention was from Geoghegan, who flung himself across his goal to pluck the ball out of the top corner, where Coleman King's deflected shot seemed certain to drop. It was as spectacular a save as one would see at any level of the game and worthy of securing another win to send Seaford top of the table. 
  

Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan, Darragh Roche, Zitian Xiang (Brian Murphy, 67) Craig Conlon, Al Kennedy, Ben Kelly, Rob O'Shea,  Timi SIlva (Sam Browne, 90+1) Jack Keegan  Conor Fennell (Fionn Nally, 73)  Michael Akingbade (Ian Daly, 66)

UCD: 1 Charlie McGrath, 2 Alex O'Shea, 3 Coleman King, 4 Eoin Cunningham, 5 Calum Howard, 6 Cian Bolger, 7 Eoghan Murphy, 8 Finn McDonnell, 9 Patrick Collins, 10 Jack O'Flaherty, 11 Aidan Kane (13 Shaun Russell)