Bray make play offs despite Cabo defeat

Bray Wanderers 1-2 Cabinteely FC
Clifford 45 Knight 57 (p)

Byrne (OG)

First Division

Carlisle Grounds
15 October 2021

Conor Clifford’s free kick goes under Hayden

Bray Wanderers poor home form continued with this defeat to a Cabinteely team that had lost five in a row going into the game. Wanderers have picked up just one point form their last three home games.

Despite the defeat, Wanderers are guaranteed a play of play after Athlone Town were held to a draw away to Treaty United.

Wanderers made four changes to the team that drew with Cork City a fortnight ago. Sean Callan, Andrew Quinn, Ryan Graydon Steven Kinsella all dropped to the bench and were replaced by Conor Clifford, Darren Craven, Callum Thompson and Daniel Jones.

Ben Feeney fired a shot over the bray bar on the quarter hour. Darren craven then fired over for Bray on 26 minutes. A minute later, Bray had shouts for a penalty when Darren craven’s cross from the left appeared to strike Daniel Byrne’s arm but referee Gavin Colfer ignored the claims. Gary Shaw almost got on the end of Thompson’s cross from the left but poked his effort inches wide just past the half hour mark.

Bray had plenty of possession in the opening stages. Richie O’Farrell fired a shot against the post on 36 minutes. on the stroke of half time Conor Clifford fired a free kick under the ball that went under former Bray keeper Adam Hayden.

Richie O’Farrell fires a shot against the post

Following a free kick on the left by McPhillips Cabinteely were awarded what looked like a soft penalty on 57 minutes. Ex-Wanderer Kevin Knight fired past Brian Maher from the spot. Dylan Barnett fired a shot across goal on 65 minutes. Cabinteely took the lead when Mark Byrne deflected McWilliams pull back from the left past Brian Maher. In the final minute, Brandon Kavanagh curled a free kick inches wide.

Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Maher; 8 Mark Byrne, 15 Daniel Jones, 5 Aaron Barry (c), 3 Dylan Barnett; 6 Conor Clifford; 27 Callum Thompson, 11 Brandon Kavanagh, 14 Richie O’Farrell, 16 Darren Craven; 10 Gary Shaw. Subs: 4 Andrew Quinn, 7 Ryan Graydon (for Craven 66), 9 Joe Doyle (for Byrne 84), 17 Luka Lovic, 18 Sean Callan, 19 Darragh Lynch, 22 Steven Kinsella, 25 Kian Clarke (gk), 28 Sam Verdon (for Thompson 80).

Booked: Clifford (47)

Cabinteely FC: 1 Adam Hayden; 2 Daniel Blackbyrne (c), 21 Jamin Nwanze, 3 Kevin Knight; 33 Mitchell Byrne 4 Jack Hudson, 34 Ben Feeney, 20 Eoin McPhillips, 19 Luke McWilliams; 15 Eoin Massey; 9 Destiny Idele
Subs: 5 Dan Tobin (for Hudson 82), 11 Sean McDonald (for Idele 91+), 17 Sean McLean (for McPhillips 82), 18 Conor Knight, 22 Dean Casey, 26 Ben Houton, 27 Jack O’Reilly, 29 Jem Campion, 35 Ben Clarke (gk)

Kevin Knight’s penalty beats Maher

Booked: Knight (74)

Referee: Gavin Colfer

Match Report: Michael  Duffy

Pictures: Peter Minogue

Darren Craven goes close