Match Report: Seaford Rock United 2-1 Verona
LSL Saturday Major 1B
Seaford ended a four-match winless run with a dogged victory against early-season pace-setters Verona.
Although Seaford move the ball through midfield in lively fashion, both sides struggled to create chances during the opening period on a sodden Rockfield Park pitch. Mike O'Neill and David Higgins were both narrowly off-target from MJ Tierney deliveries, but the closest they cam was when Gerry Clarke almost headed into his own net after another Tierney cross, but a combination of keeper Declan Boyd and the goalpost somehow prevented the ball from crossing the line.
Goalmouth action was in even shorter supply at the other end, but Verona took the lead on 31 minutes through a Jay Gahan free kick.
The hosts were good value for their equaliser when it arrived shortly after half time. Tierney produced a moment of magic to lost his man with a McGeady spin, and his chipped cross was met by a bullet header from O'Neill that gave Boyd no chance.
Seaford were in control now, and Collie Barrett was centimetres from capping a tireless display up front with a goal on 61 minutes, as he fired against the bar following a brilliant burst down the left side from Paul Tansey. As the man in navy continued to pour forward, Darragh Connolly was unlucky not to net a back-post header, before the breakthrough eventually arrived with a quarter of an hour to play.
Barrett was involved in the build up, creating a chance for Stephen Kelly, bursting forward from right back. Kelly's low shit squirmed out of Boyd's reach allowing fellow substitute Stephen Canavan to pounce on the goalline.
Verona applied some late pressure, but struggled to fashion a clear opportunity, other than when Tansey made a brilliant saving tackle to clear a dangerous Ange Wanzio cross.
The win keeps Seaford in contention at the business end of what seems like a very tightly contested Major 1B section.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan; Steve Kane (Stephen Kelly, 74), Ian Nolan, Fionn Lawlor, Paul Tansey, Gavin Walsh (Oli Wright, 64), Mike O'Neill, David Higgins, Darragh Connolly (Shane Gilroy, 85), MJ Tierney (Stephen Canavan, 70 (Matt Sheehan, 89)), Collie Barrett : Goals: O'Neill (51), Canavan (76)
Verona: Declan Boyd, Vincent McDermott, Geoff Tuohy (Martin Byrne, 58), Robert Byrne, David Walsh, Gerry Clarke, Darren Murray, Ange Wanzio, Jay Gahan (Mark Walsh, 58), Liam Moran (Kevin Dunne, 64), Tom Martin (Conor McMillan, 82). Goal: Gahan (31)
Rockfield Park, 10 November 2018
Although Seaford move the ball through midfield in lively fashion, both sides struggled to create chances during the opening period on a sodden Rockfield Park pitch. Mike O'Neill and David Higgins were both narrowly off-target from MJ Tierney deliveries, but the closest they cam was when Gerry Clarke almost headed into his own net after another Tierney cross, but a combination of keeper Declan Boyd and the goalpost somehow prevented the ball from crossing the line.
Goalmouth action was in even shorter supply at the other end, but Verona took the lead on 31 minutes through a Jay Gahan free kick.
The hosts were good value for their equaliser when it arrived shortly after half time. Tierney produced a moment of magic to lost his man with a McGeady spin, and his chipped cross was met by a bullet header from O'Neill that gave Boyd no chance.
Seaford were in control now, and Collie Barrett was centimetres from capping a tireless display up front with a goal on 61 minutes, as he fired against the bar following a brilliant burst down the left side from Paul Tansey. As the man in navy continued to pour forward, Darragh Connolly was unlucky not to net a back-post header, before the breakthrough eventually arrived with a quarter of an hour to play.
Barrett was involved in the build up, creating a chance for Stephen Kelly, bursting forward from right back. Kelly's low shit squirmed out of Boyd's reach allowing fellow substitute Stephen Canavan to pounce on the goalline.
Verona applied some late pressure, but struggled to fashion a clear opportunity, other than when Tansey made a brilliant saving tackle to clear a dangerous Ange Wanzio cross.
The win keeps Seaford in contention at the business end of what seems like a very tightly contested Major 1B section.
Seaford: Oisin Geoghegan; Steve Kane (Stephen Kelly, 74), Ian Nolan, Fionn Lawlor, Paul Tansey, Gavin Walsh (Oli Wright, 64), Mike O'Neill, David Higgins, Darragh Connolly (Shane Gilroy, 85), MJ Tierney (Stephen Canavan, 70 (Matt Sheehan, 89)), Collie Barrett : Goals: O'Neill (51), Canavan (76)
Verona: Declan Boyd, Vincent McDermott, Geoff Tuohy (Martin Byrne, 58), Robert Byrne, David Walsh, Gerry Clarke, Darren Murray, Ange Wanzio, Jay Gahan (Mark Walsh, 58), Liam Moran (Kevin Dunne, 64), Tom Martin (Conor McMillan, 82). Goal: Gahan (31)
Rockfield Park, 10 November 2018