Drogheda United 2 Bray Wanderers 2
Bray surrendered a two-goal lead in the last 30 minutes of their U17 LOI Academy Phase 2 Tier Two (North) clash away to Drogheda on Saturday.
The visitors came into the game looking to bounce back from their defeat last week to Athlone Town.
But the away side didn’t start the game well. And struggled to get going in the first half with the home team looking more dangerous without creating too many clear chances at the MDL Grounds.
Wanderers however took the lead against the run of play in the 25th minute.
A long clearance from Dylan Ryan was kept alive by Adam Reid down the right. He played a one-two with Billy O’Neill to find himself one on one with the keeper. Reid rounded the custodian and finished to the net.
The Wicklow outfit started the second period better and where unlucky not to double their lead when an early header from Paddy Kildee Doolan was saved.
But the Green and White’s did make it 2-0 in the 50th minute.
O’Neill dribbled into the box. He cleverly back heeled the ball to Reid who fired into the goal at the near post.
A loss of composure from the away side allowed the Drogheda back into the game. Emmanuel Okunbor pulled one back on 61.
United captain Ethan Maher poked in to equalise with 18 minutes left as the Seasiders failed to deal with a corner.
There was still time for some late drama.
On 89 minutes, Wanderers defender Alain Kizenga saw a very soft red after he was deemed to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Yet, Bray were then denied what looked a clear penalty in the last play of the game, when skipper Rhys Knight was brought down in the box. But no spot-kick awarded.
There was another positive with U15 player Cristiano Bramley making his debit at this level.
Elsewhere in the section, leaders Bohemians beta Finn Harps 3-0 at the Oscar Traynor Centre; Sligo Rovers defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic 4-2 at the Showgrounds while Athlone Town overcame Longford Town 5-2 at Bishopsgate.
All the results mean that Bray are fifth in the eight team section with four games remaining.
Bray Wanderers: David Winkler; Jack Nolan, Ronan Dawson, Alain Kizenga, Luke Smith; Ronan Langan, Paddy Kildee-Doolan; Dylan Ryan, Rhys Knight, Adam Reid; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Ethan Cheese, Cristiano Bramley, Aidan Kane, Sean Hennelly, Kian Dowling, Alex Forde.
* Bray are schedules to face Sligo Rovers at Ballycorus next Saturday.
* Bray goal-scorer Adam Reid.
