Sea Rovers guaranteed their Division One status in a game played in beautiful conditions in Maginn Park this morning.
Sea Rovers 1 Redcastle Reserves 0
Rovers had the first chance on 3 minutes after a superb Damien Ward run took him past three defenders and when his effort was parried by Paul Doherty the ball fell to Evan McLaughlin who looked certain to score but Doherty blocked again.
Redcastle created a gilt edged chance on 15 minutes when Evan Craig floated a ball into the unmarked Terry McColgan who controlled on his chest but saw his left footed effort blocked by the advancing Watson.
Rovers spurned another clear chance in the 19th minute when Ward played a fine through ball to Conor Gallagher but he fired wide from the edge of the area with Doherty advancing.
Redcastle replied and a good effort from 20 yards by Rory Hirrell was well saved by Watson before a long range Shane McColgan effort sailed over the bar.
Rovers replied with a well struck effort from Gallagher saved by Doherty.
Rovers took the lead on 38 minutes when Ward released McLaughlin on the right and his cross was knocked home by Gallagher from six yards despite being under pressure from a defender and keeper Doherty.
Minutes later they had another opening after a good advantage was played but ward fired high and wide from 20 yards.
Redcastle came close on 40 minutes when an in-swinging Evan Craig corner came off the face of the crossbar before being cleared.
Redcastle had a great chance on the stroke of half time after Craig headed through for McColgan but his shot was well saved by Watson who recovered to gather the loose ball.
Redcastle had the first chance of the second period on 54 minutes after Watson failed to hold a cross and the ball fell to Cathal Crumlish but his effort was brilliantly blocked by William Logan.
At the other end Keelan Doherty flicked on for Gallagher but Doherty advanced to block well at the expense of a corner.
After neat build up by Rovers Doherty fed Gallagher on the left hand side of the area but he fired narrowly over.
Redcastle had half an opening from a corner but the unmarked Alan Clarke headed narrowly wide. Redcastle pressed hard in the closing stages but the rovers defence with Mark Doherty and Martin Lafferty superb stood firm.
