Bohemians 2 Bray Wanderers 1
AUL Complex, Friendly, 5 March 2021
Wanderers suffered their first defeat of pre-season when Tomas Oluwa struck for the winner six minutes from time. It was cruel luck on Wanderers who put in a good display against their premier division opposition.
Bohemians struck for the opener within the first minute. Brad Rolt got in on the left and his shot was saved by Maher, but Jack Moylan followed up on the rebound to score from close range.
Wanderers responded well to the early set back. Brandon Kavanagh forced McGuinness into a save from a free kick. Following another Kavanagh free kick on the right, Gary Shaw’s header was deflected out for a corner on 20 minutes.
Keith Ward fired a free kick across the Bray goal on 25 minutes which just evaded the head of the inrushing Oluwa. Two minutes later, Jack Moylan shot straight at Maher after a neat flick from Ward set him up for the strike on goal.
Wanderers had a great opportunity on 38 minutes when Ryan Graydon flicked the ball over the advancing McGuinness, but a defender forced him wide of the empty goal.
Richie O’Farrell fired a long-range effort over the bar three minutes into the second half. Brandon Kavanagh fired a shot straight at McGuinness minutes later. Wanderers drew level on 53 minutes when Ryan Graydon cut in from the right and fired low to the corner of the net. Just past the hour mark, Oluwa disposed Lovic and shot just wide. Brandon Kavanagh curled a shot in which McGuiness was forced to tip over on 63 minutes. Graydon then headed just wide from a Mark Byrne cross as Wanderers enjoyed a good spell.
Sean Grehan headed to the Bray net on 70 minutes, but his effort was ruled out by an offside flag. Chances came at both ends as Graydon fired a long range shot which former Wanderers keeper McGuinness saved. Maher was forced into tipping a Moylan shot from outside the box around the post. Lovic shot straight at McGuinness after been set up by Barnett.
Six minutes from time, Devoy robbed Dean O’Shea of possession and played in Oluwa who slotted the ball low past Maher to put Bohs ahead. Joe Doyle went on a good run down the right but fired straight at McGuinness in the final piece of action of a lively game.
Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Maher, 2 Mark Byrne, 3 Dylan Barnett, 26 Dan Jones, 5 Aaron Barry, 28 Conor Clifford, 8 Richard O’Farrell, 7 Ryan Graydon, 20 Darren Craven, 23 Brandon Kavanagh, 10 Gary Shaw.
Substitutes; 25 Kian Clarke (Gk), 9 Joe Doyle (for Shaw, 50), 16 Sean Callan (for Jones, 80), 17 Luka Lovic (for O’Farrell, 68), 19 Darragh Lynch (for Craven, 68), 24 Dean O’Shea (for Barnett, 80). Cian Maher, Glen Hollywood.
Bohemians: 25 Stephen McGuinness, 18 James Finnerty, 19 Tyreke Wilson, 24 Gavin O’Brien, 27 Sean Grehan, 23 Jack Moylan, 26 Ross Tierney, 28 Dawson Devoy, 17 Tomas Oluwa, 9 Brad Rolt, 10 Keith Ward,
Substitutes: 1 Kian Moore (Gk), 7 Aaron Doran, 14 Colin Conroy, 15 Derek Pender (for Finnerty, 31), 16 Keith Buckley, 22 Jamie Mullins, 30 Robbie Mahon.
Match Report: Michael Duffy
Pictures: Peter Minogue
