Bohemians 1 Bray Wanderers 0
AUL Complex, Friendly, 28 January 2022
It was very much a case of getting minutes in the legs for the players as Pat Devlin’s side continued pre-season preparations against Bohemians at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh on Friday evening.
With a wind that played havoc to long balls, the air at least did not have the bite that one can expect from football in January. There were many changes from last week’s encounter with Shamrock Rovers – with no less than 23 players featuring.
Bohs dominated possession in the first half, but solid defensive work meant that Mick Kelly’s goal was rarely troubled. Callum Thompson provided a willing runner down the flank often pushing deep into enemy territory. Vilius Labutis also showed great confidence in midfield while Hugh Douglas and Seán Callan thwarted the Gypsies in defence.
The half time whistle saw a flurry of activity on both benches as Devlin and Keith Long looked to give as many players an opportunity to test the legs as possible.
With the strong wind now in their favour, the visitors did hold onto the ball better although neither keeper had much work to do. The sheer volume of changes no doubt contributed to neither team being able to establish themselves in the game. But with a tough start to the season ahead, match fitness will be key for the Wanderers. The stalemate did finally get broken just three minutes before the end when Canadian Kris Twardek received the ball from a throw-in on the far side. His cross/ shot took a significant deflection before sneaking past Kelly.
The pre-season work will continue this week with more matches against Premier Division opposition as both Drogheda United and Derry City make trips south next month.
Bohemians: Tadgh Ryan; Max Murphy (Rory Feely 30 (Trialist A 75)), Grant Horton (Conor Livingston 46), James Finnerty (Ciaran Kelly 30), Tyreke Wilson; Liam Brut (Kris Twardek 46), Jordan Doherty (Trialist B 46), Dawson Devoy (JJ McKiernan 46), Stephen Mallon (Jamie Mullins 46); Ali Coote (Ryan Cassidy 46), Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Promise Omochere 46).
Bray Wanderers: Mick Kelly (Ben Clark 87); Dan Blackbyrne (Zak O’Neill 63), Hugh Douglas (Ben Feeney 86), Seán Callan (Jack Hudson 63), Kevin Knight (Dean Casey 75); Conor Knight (Keith Dalton 46), Vilius Labutis (Karl Manahan 46), Conor Clifford (Dean Zambra 63), Callum Thompson (Paul Fox 46 (Eoin Massey 75)); Kurtis Byrne (Ben Feeney 45 (Darragh Lynch 75)), Rob Manley (Kieran Marty Waters 63).
Report by Kevin Dooney.
Pictures by Martin Doherty.
