Seaview FC pulled off a remarkable come from behind 3-2 win over Marverley/Hughenden FC to claim the first major trophy in the history of the cub on Saturday at the Barbican Football Field. A brace from Patrick Richards and another from Shawn McDonald helped the underdogs to an extra time win in a very exciting final.
The stage was set before the first whistle as both teams occupied opposing stands to give the venue a real ‘cup tie’ feel. The Seaview fans were decked out in blue while the Marverley/Hughenden fans were clad in their distinct red.
The match had a frenetic opening as both teams sought control of the game, but it was Marverley who wrestled control and seemed to be the most likely to score. They pushed back their opponents who seemed content to play behind the ball and try to play on the counter.
Marverley eventually took the lead in the 37th minute when Roderick Williams put them ahead from the penalty spot. It was no more than they deserved based on the run of play and they managed to hold that lead to the interval.
Seaview came out a different team after the break as they played with more intent. Both teams came close to scoring, with Akeem Anglin’s lobbed effort crashing back into play after hitting the crossbar in the 60th minute. Had that gone in it would have doubled Marverley’s lead but nine minutes later, Seaview was level as Richards scored his first of the game. The former St. Andrew Technical Manning Cup player curled a free kick beyond the despairing dive of Oniel Dunkley and into the far corner to make it 1-1.
With the momentum in their favour Seaview went in pursuit of the winner but they and their boisterous fans were stunned into silence when Anglin headed home from a corner kick with four minutes of regulation time left to play.
The response of Seaview was swift as they answered when McDonald headed home at the back post, also from a corner, to make it 2-2 with a minute left on the clock.
Williams who had given Marverley the first half lead had a chance to be the hero but missed from the spot in the final minute of the first half of extra time.
Richards stepped up to claim the glory for himself and his team when he scored again directly from a free kick in the 102nd minute while Dunkley was left with egg on his face as the ball crept in at his near post. It was a great win for a club that began the season with three consecutive losses.
Captain Jason Harry was at a loss for words in trying to describe his emotions after playing for the team for ten years.
“I can’t explain how it feels to finally win a major trophy. We had a terrible start to the season but we dug in a fought hard to have this success. This a joy to the community as you can see, the fans really came out in support of the team today.”
Two goal hero Richards said, “It’s a joy. I have been working on those free kicks in training for a long time. In the mornings I am at the field with the coach alone working on them. When Andrew Morrison had to leave the field with an injury I knew I had to step up for the team. I said to myself that I had to put on my game shoes. So I dug deep and it ended up in our favour. We didn’t want to go to penalties so we are truly happy in ended the way it did. This is a dream come true for me and the whole community.”
Both Seaview and Marverley/Hughenden will advance to the KSAFA Super League next season.
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