Dundalk 3 Bray Wanderers 2
In a tight rearranged game, Bray suffered their first away EA SPORTS MU15 LOI Academy – Tier Two (North) loss.
On the back of a two-game winning streak in the section, Wanderers went down by the odd goal in a thriller against Dundalk this afternoon at Oriel Park.
The game was delayed due to a booking schedule on the pitch which preparation was disrupted, and the contest started 35 minutes late.
The Lilywhite’s took a seventh minute lead when – after a handball by the visitors in the box – home striker Jack Martin converted the penalty.
Wanderers struggled in the opening period of 30 minutes. But came into the contest in the second half hour.
Yet, the Louth side doubled their advantage in the 45th minute as a deflected cross was parried into the net by goalkeeper Alex Forde.
But this seemed to spark the Seagulls into life.
Led by the away teams best player on show Cristiano Bramley, Max Colbert cut back found Billy O’Neill who was unable to finish off the move.
But the Republic of Ireland U15 Cap was not to be denied before the end of the period as Bramley weaved his way into the box and the squared for O’Neill to tap in.
In the final third period, Bray searched for an equaliser with Bramley’s rasping 20-yard drive flying narrowly over.
But Wanderers were caught on the break when Dundalk sub TJ Molloy-Murray cut inside and finished neatly in the bottom corner.
Playing in their away blue strip, the Wicklow side scored a consultation goal before the final whistle.
O’Neill and Bramley worked a free to cross with Bray captain Callum Kenna finding the net with a powerful header.
The result leaves both Bray and Dundalk level in fourth place on six points form four games.
UCD lead the way on ten points. Athlone Town (eight points) and Derry City (seven points) are next in the charts.
Bray Wanderers: Alex Forde; Tadhg Worthington, Callum Kenna, Max Free, Darragh Sherlock; Joshua O’Leary, Sean Howard; Sean Hennelly, Cristiano Bramley, Max Colbert; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Noah Byrne, Ryan Bell Mihaila, Evan Lynch, Barra Lynch, Liam Billings.
* Bray are due to host Drogheda United at Ballycorus on Sunday August 13th next.
* Bray goal scorers Billy O’Neill and Callum Kenna.
