By Mick Webster
News Type : Football
Team : First
Seaford Town didn’t demonstrate much Christmas spirit to their visitors from Wealden on Boxing Day, with a devastating 11 minute spell early in the second half which saw them rattle in 4 goals to secure a much needed 3 points.
As the season passes into 2010, this game was only the eight the first team have played on their own ground and their fifth in the league since it began in early August so the visit of Wealden helped to bring in much needed revenue.
Life is difficult enough in the current financial climate, but if you are unable to play at home it becomes a serious matter for clubs at Sussex County League level. Hopefully as they move into the New Year their supporters will have plenty of opportunity to watch them playing at home.
The Christmas holiday caused Bob Laundon a number of problems with his team selection, as both Chris Logan and Martin Eldridge were away with their families, while goalkeeper Sheldon Levett injured his wrist at home and will be out for a couple of weeks.
That meant a return to the side for Adam Laundon for the first time since playing against Lancing in August, and hopefully he will be able to play against Rye on Saturday. Darren Moore was another returning to the starting line-up at full back, while Ben Dartnall slotted into midfield and Chris Stanyard returned after injury.
It was Laundon who was first into serious action when he superbly tipped over a long range effort from Wealden skipper Shaun Grice, but the first half-hour brought very little entertainment or action with the visitors shading the possession and looking more likely to score.
That changed however in the 37th minute when Town were awarded a free kick after Dartnall had been brought down on the edge of the penalty area. Adam Kneller curled his free kick inside the post but Ashley Kirrage somehow managed to get across to palm the ball away. It was recovered on the goal-line and played back to
Kneller, this time he curled it into the other post and time there was nobody to prevent him giving Town the lead.
There was no warning what was to follow at the start of the second half, but just 8 minutes into it Town increased their advantage. This time Stanyard collected the ball wide on the left, cut inside and unleashed a superb drive into the top corner which Kirrage couldn’t get near.
Two minutes later it was Cutress coming in from the other side and his left foot shot beat Kirrage to his right and suddenly Town were cruising home.
Just three minutes later Drew Greenall should have done better when put away on his own but this time Kirrage did well to deny him at the expense of a corner, but it only delayed the inevitable as the now rampant Town added a fourth from the resulting corner. Scott Dartnall’s inswinging corner was met by brother Ben 4 yards out and he made no mistake with his header.
The brother’s combined again 4 minutes later when Scott released his brother and with Kirrage racing off his line he guided it round him and in off the far post to make it 5-0.
The motivation appeared to have been drained from the Wealden players, who were struggling to come to terms with the dramatic turn-around but they managed a consolation from the penalty spot, converted by Grice in the 67th minute to conclude the scoring for the day.
The victory moved Town a couple of places higher up the table and with games in hand on everyone they can expect to overtake a few more before the end of the season, and who knows what 2010 may bring?
Team: Laundon, Jones, Moore (Ruth), Kneller, Brownell, B.Dartnall, Cutress (Callaghan), Breach, Greenall, S.Dartnall, Stanyard (Plastow).
Man of the Match: Adam Kneller (He got the ball rolling)
Next Week
Town are off on their travels again on Saturday, making the difficult trip to Rye for their re-arranged Division Two Cup tie.
Their hosts are riding high in the table and have a very physical game which Town will have to match if they are to secure a place in the semi-final of the competition which they finished as runners-up in last season.
Town’s Reserves entertain neighbours Ringmer at the Crouch while at the time of writing the Under 18’s are without a game.
