Longford Town 2 Bray Wanderers 3
Three penalties saw Bray claim their first away EA Sports MU15 LOI Academy – Tier Two (North) victory.
Amid heavy rain conditions on Sunday afternoon at a wet Bishopsgate, Wanderers scored once in each period from the spot before Longford pulled two goals late on.
The encounter was much closer than the 9-3 result in favour of the Green and White’s from last month at Ballycorus in the Michael Hayes Cup.
The visitors started the game strongly with Billy O’Neill have a chance early on.
The Seasiders broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when U15 Republic of Ireland striker O’Neill was fouled in the box. Sean Hennelly stepped up to put the 12-yard dead-ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Midlanders tried to put pressure by playing direct. But man of the match Max Free, and his defensive partner Noah Byrne, dealt with the situations.
In the poor playing conditions, the Bray midfield duo of Jake Fulton and Sean Howard combined brilliantly to set-up Cristiano Bramley who was unable to convert.
With the second period ending on the hour, Adam Keene weaved his way into the penalty area only to be to be taken down. The winger picked himself up to slot in the spot-kick.
Hennelly made it 3-0 with yet another penalty in the final third.
The ‘Town rallied late on with striker Lucas Madu pulling two goals back before the final whistle.
Bray Wanderers: Liam Billings; Ryan Bell Mihaila, Max Free, Noah Byrne, Darragh Sherlock; Jake Fulton, Sean Howard; Sean Hennelly, Cristiano Bramley, Adam Keene; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Barra Lynch, Callum Kenna, Tadhg Worthington, Alex Forde.
* There is a quick turnaround for the team as they are set to face Dundalk in a rearranged fixture on Wednesday August 2 at Oriel Park at 7.00pm.
* Bray goal scorers Adam Keene and Sean Hennelly (2)