Match Report: Seaford Rock United 2-1 Booth Road Celtic
LSL Sat Major 1B
Seaford produced a superb battling display to come from behind and inflict a first league defeat on title-chasing Booth Road Celtic.
The visitors had swept all before them in league and cup during the 2016/17 season, and had recorded a remarkable 9-3 win on their previous visit to Rockfield Park a year earlier. But it was clear from the outset that this was going to be a much tighter affair.
Booth Road enjoyed plenty of first half possession without producing much of a goal threat and although Seaford did enjoy some efforts on goal from quick attacks behind the visiting wing-backs, these were largely long-range efforts from midfielders Dave Higgins and MIke O'Neill.
The hoops opened the scoring with their first shot on target, following a smart break down the right winy from Shane Merrigan, who squared for Michael Collins to side-foot home.
Seaford levelled early in the second half through top-scorer Harry Crowe, who raced on to Fionn Geoghegan's ball into the channel, outmuscling and outpacing Lee Kirwan before driving past Michael Cleary from a tight angle, the final touch coming off a Booth Road defender.
Seaford were on top now and deservedly took the lead inside the last quarter of an hour, when Geoghegan's dangerously whipped free kick was diverted into his own net by Aaron Clayton.
Merrigan was dismissed for the visitors as tempers frayed in the frantic closing stages, but Booth Road's only sight at goal was in injury time when James Kelly's long-range free kick was comfortably gathered by Oisin Geoghegan,
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan, Fionn Geoghegan Paul Tansey, Alan Brennan, Fionn Lawlor, Dave Higgins, Jim Nolan (Conor Geoghegan, 65) Mike O'Neill (Theo Cullinane, 83), Darragh Connolly (Paul Lydon, 73), Steve Kane (Chris Monk, 73), Harry Crowe (Francis Mulhall, 89). Goals: Crowe (49), Clayton (og, 76)
Booth Road Celtic: Michael Cleary, Lee Kirwan, David Hooper, Martin McGuinness, James Kelly, Aaron Clayton, Nathan Rock, Shane Merrigan, Michael Collins, Philip Sheppard (Ryan Rock, 40), Ryan Nicholson (Jason McKenna, 62). Goal: Collins (25)
Rockfield Park, 10 April 2017
The visitors had swept all before them in league and cup during the 2016/17 season, and had recorded a remarkable 9-3 win on their previous visit to Rockfield Park a year earlier. But it was clear from the outset that this was going to be a much tighter affair.
Booth Road enjoyed plenty of first half possession without producing much of a goal threat and although Seaford did enjoy some efforts on goal from quick attacks behind the visiting wing-backs, these were largely long-range efforts from midfielders Dave Higgins and MIke O'Neill.
The hoops opened the scoring with their first shot on target, following a smart break down the right winy from Shane Merrigan, who squared for Michael Collins to side-foot home.
Seaford levelled early in the second half through top-scorer Harry Crowe, who raced on to Fionn Geoghegan's ball into the channel, outmuscling and outpacing Lee Kirwan before driving past Michael Cleary from a tight angle, the final touch coming off a Booth Road defender.
Seaford were on top now and deservedly took the lead inside the last quarter of an hour, when Geoghegan's dangerously whipped free kick was diverted into his own net by Aaron Clayton.
Merrigan was dismissed for the visitors as tempers frayed in the frantic closing stages, but Booth Road's only sight at goal was in injury time when James Kelly's long-range free kick was comfortably gathered by Oisin Geoghegan,
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan, Fionn Geoghegan Paul Tansey, Alan Brennan, Fionn Lawlor, Dave Higgins, Jim Nolan (Conor Geoghegan, 65) Mike O'Neill (Theo Cullinane, 83), Darragh Connolly (Paul Lydon, 73), Steve Kane (Chris Monk, 73), Harry Crowe (Francis Mulhall, 89). Goals: Crowe (49), Clayton (og, 76)
Booth Road Celtic: Michael Cleary, Lee Kirwan, David Hooper, Martin McGuinness, James Kelly, Aaron Clayton, Nathan Rock, Shane Merrigan, Michael Collins, Philip Sheppard (Ryan Rock, 40), Ryan Nicholson (Jason McKenna, 62). Goal: Collins (25)
Rockfield Park, 10 April 2017