Athlone Town 2 Bray Wanderers 1
Looking to build on last weeks win over Bohemians, Bray went down narrowly away to Athlone in Tier 2 North of the LOI Academy MU17 League.
But despite taking the lead against the Midlanders on Saturday afternoon, the Wicklow outfit came up against a ‘Town team who rallied at the Athlone Town Stadium to take all three points.
The game started lively with both sides having good spells of possession.
The breakthrough though came on 16 minutes for the Seagulls.
Paddy Kildee Doolan powered in a header at the second time of asking after the initial corner from Kian Dowling was cleared.
Bray had further opportunities to extend their lead after that. Phil Cooney should’ve done better when he was put through on goal by Billy O’Neill, but the home keeper smothered the chance.
Max Colbert also saw his cross shot saved by the ‘Town netminder. Cooney then combined well with Luke Smith but took a shot on when there were bodies in the box.
O’Neill then went close when he charged down the Athlone keeper but couldn’t get a clean shot away.
The equaliser came shortly before the half hour mark. A lovely free flowing move from the hosts wasn’t defended well and a free header at the back post brought them level.
This goal really rocked the visitors, who never really got their game going again.
Athlone took the lead early in the second half and held out for a deserved take the victory.
Elsewhere in the section, there were 1-0 wins for Sligo Rovers over St. Patrick’s Athletic; Drogheda United over Finn Harps and Bohemians over Longford Town.
Bray Wanderers: Alexander Kearney; Jack Nolan, Alex Baines, Alain Kizenga, Luke Smith; Paddy Kildee-Doolan, Ronan Dawson; Max Colbert, Kian Dowling, Phillip Cooney; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Ronan Langan, Adam Reid, Ethan Cheese, Eric Schutte, Rhys Knight, Aidan Kane, Dylan Ryan, David Winkler.
* Bray return to Ballycorus on Saturday July 15 to entertain Longford Town.