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Seaford Town 0-2 Shoreham - Division One Play-off Semi-Final (MATCH REPORT)

Seaford Town 0-2 Shoreham - Division One Play-off Semi-Final (MATCH REPORT)

Finn Honeywood30 Apr 2022 - 17:25
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Shoreham advance to Final as Seaford's rollercoaster season draws to a close

Shoreham have booked their place in the Division One Play-off Final after defeating Seaford Town 2-0 at the Crouch. Goals from Dan Momah and Harry Heath saw the Musselman past a frustrated Seaford side on the day, whose promotion dream was snatched away at the hands of a better Shoreham team on the day.

Shoreham started aggressively, and within 30 seconds of kick-off they had already gone close to finding an opener, with Jordan Stallibrass heading just wide from a good delivery by winger Harry Heath. A very promising start for the visitors, with Seaford taking time to adjust to Shoreham's assertive physical presence in the final third.

The hosts went on to see out the early storm, and after beginning to settle on the ball for the first time going forward, Seaford soon went close to taking the lead themselves on the 10 minute mark. Centre-back Jack Potten was the man who came closest to opening the scoring for the home side, sweeping an effort over the bar from close range following a dangerous set-piece delivery from George Olulode.

Shoreham continued to show their drive going forward, and amidst a period of attacking pressure for the away side, it was the Musselmen who went on to draw first blood in the 21st minute. Up stepped commanding centre-back Dan Momah, who lashed home low from 10 yards to give Shoreham a lead which they would hold onto all the way up to the half time whistle.

With their season on the line, it was no surprise that Seaford came out intently following the restart, with Shoreham evidently preparing to weather the impending storm from the hosts. Unfortunately for Seaford, an increase in pressure did not amount to a higher production of good opportunities for large amounts of the second half. It took until the 67th minute for Seaford to produce a stop from Ricardo Alves in the Shoreham goal, with midfielder Scott Marshall seeing a side-footed effort smartly tipped over the bar by the visiting 'keeper.

Seaford thought they had an equaliser on seconds later, with the linesman's flag denying a close range effort from Callum Connor after an inviting ball in from substitute left-back Matt Holland. With the balance of play firmly in Seaford's grasp, Shoreham soon looked to try their hand on the counter, and in the 70th minute it was Harry Heath who came up with a vital, game-killing second for Shoreham. After a lapse at the back for Seaford allowed Ramon Santos in behind the defensive line, the forward had the time to pick out the run of Heath, who was able to fire home from close range to double the visitors' advantage. A huge goal for Mark Pulling's side, whose second of the afternoon providing the dagger to pierce Seaford's ever-building momentum.

While Seaford continued to look forward with time running away from them, Shoreham's strength at the defensive end proved enough to deny the hosts an avenue back into the tie. Seaford did have a second goal ruled out by the referee into added time, with a foul in the box being pulled up amidst a hectic goal-mouth frenzy. Seaford's Jayson Sowter was shown a second yellow card in the aftermath for his protests, with Shoreham all but over the finish line in the race for the play-off final.

2-0 remained the scoreline in the end, with Shoreham putting in a solid, confident display to seal their place in the final. On the other hand, a disappointing end to what has been an impressive season for Paul Wise's Seaford Town side, with this result being the only dampener on one of Seaford's best league campaigns for decades.

Seaford Town:
Mike Platt
Shaun Skipper (off 55')
Jayson Sowter
Jack Potten
Matt Simpson
Simon Piper (off 75')
Ben Dartnall (off 55')
George Olulode
Callum Edwards
Alex Saunders
Callum Connor

Subs: Scott Marshall (on 55'), Reece Edwards (on 75'), Matt Holland (on 55'), George Maybury, Matt Ford

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