Southend United celebrate promotion back to the Premier League
Southend striker Azeez Alabi is all smiles after putting Southend into the lead against Tramore in the Azzurri Division 1A League at Carey Park last Sunday.
There were wild celebrations at Carey Park on Sunday as Southend United clinched the Waterford Division 1A League title and secured promotion to the Premier League with a deserved 4-2 victory over Tramore AFC.
Luke English struck twice in the second half as the home side capped a memorable campaign in style. It marks another significant milestone for one of Waterford's most progressive clubs, who recently unveiled a new stand and state-of-the-art dressing rooms. With success at underage level and now promotion to the top flight secured, the future looks bright for the Tangerines.
Southend started on the front foot and almost made an early breakthrough when Jimmy Holohan Byrne got on the end of a move involving Azeez Alabi, but his effort with the outside of his boot drifted narrowly wide. Josh Lacey Keane then tested Tramore goalkeeper Zach Power with a long-range strike which the keeper did well to save.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 30 minutes. Alabi split the Tramore defence with a perfectly weighted pass and Holohan Byrne raced through before calmly slipping the ball beyond the advancing Power.
Southend doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Jack Cox did the hard work down the left flank before finding Alabi, who applied a composed finish to make it 2-0.
Tramore nearly found a route back into the contest before the interval when Stephen O'Donoghue swung a free-kick into the penalty area, but Elijah Fontugne saw his first-time volley fly narrowly wide of the far post.
The visitors reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart. Dylan Nolan got to the byline on the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for James Hunt, whose powerful header flew into the top corner.
Tramore almost struck again moments later when Fontugne beat two defenders before sending a dangerous low ball across goal, but no teammate could provide the final touch.
Southend restored their two-goal cushion on 57 minutes through a superb strike from English. Awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal, he curled an excellent effort over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Power with no chance.
English struck again six minutes later. Tommy Mullally won possession in midfield and released his teammate into space and the Southend man clinically rifled home to put the result beyond doubt.
Southend were forced to finish the match with ten men after Mullally departed injured when all substitutions had already been used. Tramore pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time when substitute Jake Smith finished from close range.
The visitors' frustrations were compounded in the closing moments when Ben Clune was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration as Southend United sealed the title and promotion to the Premier League to the delight of their management team of Lee Douglas and Craig Reidy.
Jack Hennessy (David Daniels 74), Eoin Morrissey, Luke English, Callum Hennessy Sean Hearne, Aaron Connolly (Aston Hennessy 74), Jake Lacey Keane (Charlie Barden 62), Tommy Mullally, Jimmy Holohan Byrne, Azeez Alabi (Zizzy Galvin 69), Jack Cox (Adam Crowley 67).
Zach Power, Dylan Nolan (Jake Smith 74), Colin Walsh, Stephen Grant, Josh Clune, James Hunt, Elijah Fontugne (Leigh Quilty 65), Sean Hamilton, Stephen O'Donoghue (Eddie Koomson 74), Ben Clune, John Niblock.
Gary Fitzgerald.
