Match Report: Seaford FC 2-1 Tolka Rovers
Noel Ryan Cup, First Round
Seaford produced a superb display to come from behind in the final quarter of an hour to take the scalp of top-flight Tolka Rovers
It was a cagey first quarter to the game but the match came alive on 26 minutes when Elridge Valois - Seaford's powerful targetman - forced a fine save from Eric Cumberton and moments later Peter Bardon was inches away from connecting with MJ Tierney's free kick for a certain goal.
Instead it was Rovers who hit the front through Daniel Mc Millan who prodded home a right-wing cross. The visitors took control of the game from that point, with Keith Ross Grimes hitting the upright with a back-post header, and Korey O'Sullivan getting clean through only to be foiled by Oisin Geoghegan.
Seaford reasserted themselves after the break, with Jamie McCaul almost netting goal of the season with an audacious 50-yard effort form the ,touchline, but Cumberton was able to scramble backwards to claw the ball away from the top corner of his goal. Next, McCaul squared for Jack Keegan, but the man-of-the-match was denied by another Cumberton block.
McCaul finally levelled on 77 minutes with an opportunists' finish, volleying first time over Cumberton from Brian Murphy,'s flick-on.
It was anyone's game now, and the Penguins completed the turnaround with just six minutes to play/ Tierney's wicked corner was flicked on by McCaul and Bardon was on hand to finish at the back stick.
Rovers ratcheted up the pressure in the final stages, with Geoghegan producing a fingertip save to keep out Daniel Dempsey's looping header and the Seaford back four stood tall to withstand the onslaught and see the Penguins into the next round .
Seaford:, Oisin Geoghegan Zitian Xiang, Brian Murphy, Eoin Mahon, Dan Keegan, Thomas Murphy (Eoin O'Farrell, 81), Peter Bardon, ,Jack Keegan, MJ Tierney (Shane Halpin, 87), Jamie McCaul, Elridge Valois
Tolka Rovers: Eric Cumberton, Sean O'Brien, Ben Shaper, Lee Keeley, Daniel Dempsey, Keith Ross Grimes, Daniel Mc Millan, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Kenny, Adam Folan, Korey O'Sullivan. Subs: Nickolas O Brien, Logan Preston, Marcus Young, Oluwasooto Daniel Akinsooto, Max Wright, Calum Atkinson
Rockfield Park, 26 October 2024
It was a cagey first quarter to the game but the match came alive on 26 minutes when Elridge Valois - Seaford's powerful targetman - forced a fine save from Eric Cumberton and moments later Peter Bardon was inches away from connecting with MJ Tierney's free kick for a certain goal.
Instead it was Rovers who hit the front through Daniel Mc Millan who prodded home a right-wing cross. The visitors took control of the game from that point, with Keith Ross Grimes hitting the upright with a back-post header, and Korey O'Sullivan getting clean through only to be foiled by Oisin Geoghegan.
Seaford reasserted themselves after the break, with Jamie McCaul almost netting goal of the season with an audacious 50-yard effort form the ,touchline, but Cumberton was able to scramble backwards to claw the ball away from the top corner of his goal. Next, McCaul squared for Jack Keegan, but the man-of-the-match was denied by another Cumberton block.
McCaul finally levelled on 77 minutes with an opportunists' finish, volleying first time over Cumberton from Brian Murphy,'s flick-on.
It was anyone's game now, and the Penguins completed the turnaround with just six minutes to play/ Tierney's wicked corner was flicked on by McCaul and Bardon was on hand to finish at the back stick.
Rovers ratcheted up the pressure in the final stages, with Geoghegan producing a fingertip save to keep out Daniel Dempsey's looping header and the Seaford back four stood tall to withstand the onslaught and see the Penguins into the next round .
Seaford:, Oisin Geoghegan Zitian Xiang, Brian Murphy, Eoin Mahon, Dan Keegan, Thomas Murphy (Eoin O'Farrell, 81), Peter Bardon, ,Jack Keegan, MJ Tierney (Shane Halpin, 87), Jamie McCaul, Elridge Valois
Tolka Rovers: Eric Cumberton, Sean O'Brien, Ben Shaper, Lee Keeley, Daniel Dempsey, Keith Ross Grimes, Daniel Mc Millan, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Kenny, Adam Folan, Korey O'Sullivan. Subs: Nickolas O Brien, Logan Preston, Marcus Young, Oluwasooto Daniel Akinsooto, Max Wright, Calum Atkinson
Rockfield Park, 26 October 2024