Match Report: Seaford Rock United 3-3 St James's Gate
LSL Saturday Major 1B
Seaford began life in Major 1B with an entertaining 3-3 draw that they might have won but very nearly lost.
Manager Alan Burns suffered a major blow before kick-off when captain John Power suffered an injury whilst warming-up, forcing a last minute re-shuffle. In all there were four debutants in the starting eleven but it was nonetheless a cohesive display from the home side early on.
Harry Crowe, redeployed as a winger for the day, went tantalisingly close to opening the scoring on 14 minutes following a brilliant flick by Paul Lydon. Crowe's 20 yard strike seemed destined for the corner of the net but for a sensational fingertip save by the visiting keeper. Lydon himself also tested the Gate goalie, pouncing after strike partner Tyrone McNelis has forced a defensive error.
Lydon went even closer on 32 minutes, seeing his header bounce off the far post, but Gate could only clear the ball as far as McNelis 25 yards from goal, who met it with a breathtaking right-footed volley that gave the netminder no chance. It was a stunning debut goal for the ex-UCD man.
But the advantage was short-lived, as home side gifted James's Gate an equaliser. From a Seaford throw-in near their own corner flag, they somehow contrived to gift the ball to the dangerous visiting winger, who dribbled the ball along the by-line and beat Eoin English from a narrow angle.
The spate of goals continued moments after the re-start as Seaford made it 2-1. The goal was created by a typically incisive burst forward by winger Stephen Faherty. whose cross was just too high for McNelis, but was met by Crowe at the back post, the youngster producing an inch-perfect side-footed volley to find the far corner.
More injuries hampered Seaford, with first James Thompson and then Jim Nolan forced off, and Gate took control of the match after half time. English was disappointed to concede their equaliser low to his left, before Gate were awarded a controversial penalty. Their captain tumbled under Crowe's tentative challenge, and whilst his fall was theatrical, it was a corner kick his teammates were appealing for before Les Adamczek pointed to the spot, which was duly converted for 3-2.
Another wondersave from the visiting keeper denied Lydon on 83 minutes after McNelis has put him through on goal, before Seaford finally netted a leveller with three minutes to play. Fionn Lawlor made a lung-busting run into the left channel, where he was picked out by sub Coly McCarron's perfectly weighted low pass, and from Lawlor's cross the warhorse Lydon slid in bravely between two opponents to bundle the ball over the line.
Gate ought to have snatched the points deep into injury time, but English reacted brilliantly to keep out a point-blank header, and the final whistle followed seconds later.
Overall, it was a positive afternoon for the new-look first team, with several encouraging debuts, and Seaford have the chance to go one better against Kilnamanagh AFC on Monday night.
Seaford: Eoin English, David Devaney, Jim Nolan (Coly McCarron, 64), Mike O'Neill, Luke Kelly; James Thompson (Ben McAuley, 46), Stephen Faherty, Harry Crowe; Paul Lydon, Tyrone McNelis. Goals: McNelis (32) Crowe (35) Lydon (86)
Rockfield park, 20 August 2016
Manager Alan Burns suffered a major blow before kick-off when captain John Power suffered an injury whilst warming-up, forcing a last minute re-shuffle. In all there were four debutants in the starting eleven but it was nonetheless a cohesive display from the home side early on.
Harry Crowe, redeployed as a winger for the day, went tantalisingly close to opening the scoring on 14 minutes following a brilliant flick by Paul Lydon. Crowe's 20 yard strike seemed destined for the corner of the net but for a sensational fingertip save by the visiting keeper. Lydon himself also tested the Gate goalie, pouncing after strike partner Tyrone McNelis has forced a defensive error.
Lydon went even closer on 32 minutes, seeing his header bounce off the far post, but Gate could only clear the ball as far as McNelis 25 yards from goal, who met it with a breathtaking right-footed volley that gave the netminder no chance. It was a stunning debut goal for the ex-UCD man.
But the advantage was short-lived, as home side gifted James's Gate an equaliser. From a Seaford throw-in near their own corner flag, they somehow contrived to gift the ball to the dangerous visiting winger, who dribbled the ball along the by-line and beat Eoin English from a narrow angle.
The spate of goals continued moments after the re-start as Seaford made it 2-1. The goal was created by a typically incisive burst forward by winger Stephen Faherty. whose cross was just too high for McNelis, but was met by Crowe at the back post, the youngster producing an inch-perfect side-footed volley to find the far corner.
More injuries hampered Seaford, with first James Thompson and then Jim Nolan forced off, and Gate took control of the match after half time. English was disappointed to concede their equaliser low to his left, before Gate were awarded a controversial penalty. Their captain tumbled under Crowe's tentative challenge, and whilst his fall was theatrical, it was a corner kick his teammates were appealing for before Les Adamczek pointed to the spot, which was duly converted for 3-2.
Another wondersave from the visiting keeper denied Lydon on 83 minutes after McNelis has put him through on goal, before Seaford finally netted a leveller with three minutes to play. Fionn Lawlor made a lung-busting run into the left channel, where he was picked out by sub Coly McCarron's perfectly weighted low pass, and from Lawlor's cross the warhorse Lydon slid in bravely between two opponents to bundle the ball over the line.
Gate ought to have snatched the points deep into injury time, but English reacted brilliantly to keep out a point-blank header, and the final whistle followed seconds later.
Overall, it was a positive afternoon for the new-look first team, with several encouraging debuts, and Seaford have the chance to go one better against Kilnamanagh AFC on Monday night.
Seaford: Eoin English, David Devaney, Jim Nolan (Coly McCarron, 64), Mike O'Neill, Luke Kelly; James Thompson (Ben McAuley, 46), Stephen Faherty, Harry Crowe; Paul Lydon, Tyrone McNelis. Goals: McNelis (32) Crowe (35) Lydon (86)
Rockfield park, 20 August 2016