Sligo Rovers 0 Bray Wanderers 1
Bray made it five U15 LOI Academy Phase 2 Tier Two (North) wins in their last six outings with a narrow 1-0 away success over Sligo.
Defender Darragh Sherlock grabbed the crucial score in the final third period to see off Sligo on Sunday afternoon at the Showgrounds (Astro Turf).
The Seasiders started slowly and were fortunate not to fall behind when the ‘Bit O’Red had a goal ruled out for offside.
Wanderers worked themselves into the contest. Sean Howard was denied by a goal-line clearance.
In the middle third, the visitors got a foothold. Irish U16 cap Billy O’Neill made some opportunities from distance, but he didn’t trouble the Sligo goal.
In the final half hour, a tactical switch to move Sherlock from left back into the number 10 position proved to be opportunity that Bray needed.
Just two minutes in, O’Neill tried to find space in the box but was blocked off. He recovered to square a ball back to the oncoming Sherlock who thumbed it into the roof of the net.
In the closing stages, Sligo went in search of an equaliser. In stoppage time, they had a chance. But the ball bounced off the body of a home player and into Alex Forde’s grateful arms.
Elsewhere in the section, Dundalk beat Drogheda United 4-0 at Oriel Park while Athlone Town defeated Longford Town 5-2 at Bishopsgate.
The three results mean UCD top the group on 29 points from 13 games.
Derry City (26 points), Athlone (23 points) and Dundalk (21 points) have completed their scheduled of 14 fixtures.
Bray are currently fifth on 21 points with two games remaining.
Bray Wanderers: Alex Forde; Callum Kenna, Max Free, Darragh Sherlock, Tadhg Worthington, Jake Fulton, Joshua O’Leary; Cristiano Bramley, Sean Howard, Adam Keene; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Noah Byrne, Sean Hennelly, Ryan Bell Mihaila.
* Bray will play host to UCD this coming Wednesday (October 18) at 7.30pm at the Carlisle Grounds. They will then face Drogheda United on Sunday October 22 at Weavers Park.
Two wins will see Wanderers finish second in the section. Four or three points will secure third spot while a single point will earn fourth position and qualify for the Shield Quarter Finals.
* Bray goal scorer Harry Sherlock
