Bray Wanderers 7 Athlone Town 3
Barra Lynch registered four goals as Bray won their second EA SPORTS MU15 LOI Academy – Tier Two (North) at Ballycorus in eight days.
The striker’s goal inside the opening 30 seconds was the catalyst for high scoring game on Sunday afternoon.
Virtually straight from the tip-off, Sean Hennelly released Ryan Bell Mihaila down the right wing. He swung in an early cross for Lynch to head in.
The same duo worked the trick again in the 11thminute as Bell Mihaila was again the provider off the right flank for Lynch to make it 2-0.
But the Midlanders pulled one back through Colm Doyle in the 26th minute.
Wanderers’ two-goal cushion was restored in the 45th minute. Substitute Adam Keene broke free down the left flank and skipped past a defender to score into the bottom corner.
Five minutes later, and Lynch completed his treble. Hennelly crossed with a pinpoint pass for the striker to convert at the back post.
Hennelly got himself on the score-sheet soon after when a corner wasn’t cleared, and the winger slotted in from close range.
Athlone made it 5-2 going into the last third through sub Jossi Tica Jose.
In the final half hour, Lynch scored his fourth of the game before Cristiano Bramley got in on the scoring act to make it 7-2.
The visitors bagged a late consolation through Doyle before the final whistle.
Elsewhere in the section, leaders UCD were held to a 1-1 draw by Derry City at Marley Park; Dundalk won 4-0 against Longford Town at Bishopsgate with Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United playing out a 3-3 draw at the Showgrounds.
All four results mean UCD lead the way on 20 points. Then come Dundalk (15), Athlone, Derry, and Drogheda (all 14) with Bray on 12 points.
But the Wicklow side have a game in hand on those clubs above them.
Bray Wanderers: Liam Billings; Ryan Bell Mihaila, Callum Kenna, Noah Byrne, Max Free; Jake Fulton, Sean Howard; Sean Hennelly, Cristiano Bramley, Joshua O’Leary; Barra Lynch
Subs: Jack Lawless, Evan Lynch, Darragh Sherlock, Adam Keene, Alex Forde.
* Bray are due to face Drogheda United at Weavers Park on Sunday September 17.
Bray’s goal scorers Barra Lynch, Adam Keene, Cristiano Bramley, and Sean Hennelly.
Four-goal striker Barra Lynch.
