Galway United 1 (Keating (34)
Bray Wanderers 2 (Doyle (6) , Shaw (90+1)
Eamon Deacy Park, First Division, 7 May 2021
Gary Shaw’s header one minute into added on time secured a first win of the season for Wanderers after seven attempts.
Wanderers made one change to the starting team from last weeks draw with Cork City. Dylan Barnett returned from injury in place of Cian Maher.
Bray started well and took the lead on six minutes. Brandon Kavanagh’s cross from the left was met by Joe Doyle who forced Kearns to save but Doyle was on hand to fire home the rebound. Brandon Kavanagh fired a free kick from the right just wide on 11 minutes. Joe Doyle got in on the left on 17 minutes and his cross was met by Luka Lovic at the back post, but his effort came back off the post.
Just past the half hour, Brandon Kavanagh’s long range shot forced Kearns into tipping over the bar. Galway came more into the game as the half progressed and equalised in the 34th minute. Ubaezuonu crossed from the left and Ruari Keating bundled the ball in at the near post. Shane Duggan should have added a second on 38 minutes, but he blazed his shot over the crossbar.
Wanderers survived a late scare on the stroke of half time. Firstly, Keating hit the near post and then Ubaezuono’s overhead kick cam e back off the post with Maher beaten.
The second half was a scrappy game. Brian Maher tipped Shane Duggan’s shot around the post on 54 minutes. A minute into stoppage time, Joe Doyle forced a corer on the right. Brandon Kavanagh’s corner was met by a powerful header from Shaw for the winner.
Galway United: 16 Conor Kearns, 3 Stephen Walsh, 5 Killian Brouder, 6 Maurice Nugent, 7 Ruari Keating, 8 Shane Duggan, 10 David Hurley, 15 Carlton Ubaezuonu, 20 Mikey Place, 21 Christopher Horgan, 22 Conor McCormack.
Substitutes: 1 Kevin Horgan (Gk), 4 Gary Boylan (for Ubaezuonu,, 86) , 9 Padraic Cunningham (for Horgan, 67), 24 Colin. Kelly, 12 Stephen Christopher, 14 Mikie Rowe (for Hurley, 67), 17 Caoilfhionn O’Dea, 18 Wilson Waweru (for Horgan, 86).
Booked: Ubaezuonu (61), Horgan (76), Rowe (79)
Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Maher; 8 Mark Byrne, 3 Dylan Barnett, 12 Dean O’Shea, 4 Andrew Quinn, 5 Aaron Barry; 6 Conor Clifford, 14 Richie O’Farrell, 11 Brandon Kavanagh; 17 Luka Lovic, 9 Joe Doyle, 12 Dean O’Shea
Substitutes; 25 Kian Clarke (Gk), 10 Gary Shaw (for O’Shea, 56), 23 Glen Hollywood, 27 Ross O’Brien, 30 Jack Ross (Gk)
Booked: Barnett (22), Quinn (70), O’Farrell (81), Barry (87)
Match Report: Michael Duffy
Pictures: Peter Minogue
