U14s make Shield Semi Final after beating Treaty

Bray goal scorers Jake O’Neill and Josh Dalves

Treaty United 0 Bray Wanderers 2

A superb overall team display saw Bray reach the Shield Semi Finals of the U14 EA Sports National Underage League.

The Seagulls overcame Treaty 2-0 at the University of Limerick North Campus last Saturday afternoon to deservedly make the last four of the competition.

Playing against a strong breeze in the first third on the all-weather surface, the away side defended extremely well to limit United to a series of long-range shots. One of which did go close – hitting the bar with a 45-yard free-kick just before the break.

With the strong wind behind them for the second period of 30-minutes, Wanderers made it count.

Midway through the half in the 45th minute, the visitors pressed United back into defence.

An attempted clearance by the home goalkeeper was charged down by the challenging Jake O’Neill. The ball rebounded off the Bray substitute and rolled into an empty net.

Just over ten minutes later, and the Wicklow outfit doubled their advantage. And in style – through a piece of magic from Josh Delves.

The winger deftly clipped a 20-yard free left-footed from the right of the penalty area up and over the wall with the ball finding the top right-hand corner of the net.

The visitors looked to add more to the tally after that. But strikes from both Delves and Cristiano Bramley were kept out by the Treaty custodian.

Facing the strong wind for the final 30 minutes, Bray defended extremely well to limit their Limerick to vert few chances.

Reserve netminder Liam Billings did however pull off an instinct save to deny United with what was the only opportunity of note.

In the final stages, the hosts pushed players forward to try and get back into the tie.

But with a man o the match performance, sub Max Free won some important headers in the backline to ensure Wanderers’ clean sheet and the win.

Bray Wanderers: Alex Forde; Tadgh Worthington, Callum Kenna, Noah Byrne, Evan Lynch; Jake Fulton, Sean Howard; Darragh Sherlock, Billy Martin, Josh Delves; Billy O’Neill.

Subs: Max Free, Cristiano Bramley, Ethan Doyle, Jack Maguire, Ryan Bell, Adam Keane, Jake O’Neill, Liam Billings.

* Shelbourne will provide Bray’s opponents in the final four on Saturday October 22 next. The venue is still to be decided.

That is after the Dubliner’s overcame Kerry FC by a 6-2 score-line on Saturday the AUL Complex.

In the other section of the draw, Derry City beat Klub Kildare 2-1 last week to set up a home Semi Final last Saturday with Athlone Town who defeated Dundalk 4-3 last week in the other last eight meeting.

The Candystripes edged out Athlone 1-0 at Clooney Park West to advance to the decider at the end of the month.