Match Report: Seaford Rock United 2-3 Mount Merrion
LSL Sat Major 1B
A terrible Seaford collapse either side of half time cost the home side all three points despite dominating the second half at Rockfield Park.
The first half was, for the most part, evenly matched with few chances at either end. Ceelan Simon had the first shot on target with a long range free kick that was tipped over by Eoin English, whilst Seaford skipper Neil Harrington had a couple of powerful strikes from range, the second of which almost deflected into the net with visiting keeper Pol Auladell beaten.
But Mount Merrion bagged three goals in the space of a few minutes either side of half time, at least two of which were the result of very poor defending. First, Mark Sullivan, who had excelled as a makeshift centre back a week earlier, shanked a clearance straight to Sam Browne, who picked his spot past English. Mount Merrion's second was a spectacular curling effort from Adam Carroll on the stroke of half time, before Browne headed home from a corner to make it 3-0 early in the second half.
Seaford hit back almost immediately after an incredible goalmouth scramble during which Sullivan - now reverted to a forward role - hit the bar twice in the space of a second or so, and Piers Shelton's effort seemed to be handled on the line by Jack Burke, before top scorer Harry Crowe eventually found the corner of the net.
Although Matthew Geary hit the bar for Merrion moments afterwards, the rest of the match was largely played in the visitors' half.. Sullivan pulled another back on 71 minutes, running on to Shelton's measured through-ball before slotting past Auladell. Crowe had an equaliser ruled out for offside, and fullback Paul Tansey shot just over from 25 yards, but the best chance of all fell to Sullivan in injury time, as he sped on to Harrington's pass and tried to chip the ball over Auladell, but the keeper reacted brilliantly, flying off his line to claw the ball away and secure the three points for his side.
Seaford: Eoin English; Jim Nolan, Paul Tansey, Mark Sullivan, Barry Kirwan (Darragh Roche, 85), Stephen Kelly (Fionn Lawlor, 70); Neil Harrington, Piers Shelton, Darragh Connolly, James O'Neill (Paul Lydon 78); Harry Crowe. Goals: Crowe (52) Sullivan (71)
Mount Merrion: Pol Auladell, Jack Burke, Ceelan Simon, Kevin Walsh, David Rooney (Graham Clarke, 46) (Nick Skelly, 80), Adam Carroll, Caolan Fanning, Sam Browne, Dillon Fox, Matthew Geary (Aron Shea, 85), Alan Clarke. Goals: Browne (41, 50) Carroll (45)
The first half was, for the most part, evenly matched with few chances at either end. Ceelan Simon had the first shot on target with a long range free kick that was tipped over by Eoin English, whilst Seaford skipper Neil Harrington had a couple of powerful strikes from range, the second of which almost deflected into the net with visiting keeper Pol Auladell beaten.
But Mount Merrion bagged three goals in the space of a few minutes either side of half time, at least two of which were the result of very poor defending. First, Mark Sullivan, who had excelled as a makeshift centre back a week earlier, shanked a clearance straight to Sam Browne, who picked his spot past English. Mount Merrion's second was a spectacular curling effort from Adam Carroll on the stroke of half time, before Browne headed home from a corner to make it 3-0 early in the second half.
Seaford hit back almost immediately after an incredible goalmouth scramble during which Sullivan - now reverted to a forward role - hit the bar twice in the space of a second or so, and Piers Shelton's effort seemed to be handled on the line by Jack Burke, before top scorer Harry Crowe eventually found the corner of the net.
Although Matthew Geary hit the bar for Merrion moments afterwards, the rest of the match was largely played in the visitors' half.. Sullivan pulled another back on 71 minutes, running on to Shelton's measured through-ball before slotting past Auladell. Crowe had an equaliser ruled out for offside, and fullback Paul Tansey shot just over from 25 yards, but the best chance of all fell to Sullivan in injury time, as he sped on to Harrington's pass and tried to chip the ball over Auladell, but the keeper reacted brilliantly, flying off his line to claw the ball away and secure the three points for his side.
Seaford: Eoin English; Jim Nolan, Paul Tansey, Mark Sullivan, Barry Kirwan (Darragh Roche, 85), Stephen Kelly (Fionn Lawlor, 70); Neil Harrington, Piers Shelton, Darragh Connolly, James O'Neill (Paul Lydon 78); Harry Crowe. Goals: Crowe (52) Sullivan (71)
Mount Merrion: Pol Auladell, Jack Burke, Ceelan Simon, Kevin Walsh, David Rooney (Graham Clarke, 46) (Nick Skelly, 80), Adam Carroll, Caolan Fanning, Sam Browne, Dillon Fox, Matthew Geary (Aron Shea, 85), Alan Clarke. Goals: Browne (41, 50) Carroll (45)