Longford Town 1 Bray Wanderers 6
Bray wrapped up their U17 LOI Academy Phase 2 Tier Two (North) campaign with a convincing away victory.
Leading 2-0 at the break, the Seagulls ran out 6-1 winners over Longford at Bishopsgate on Saturday morning.
Two weeks previous, the original tie had been abandoned just before half time at the same venue with the match squared at 3-3 due to an unplayable pitch.
The opening goal this time round for the visitors came midway through the first period came from a move started and finished by Philip Cooney.
Cooney picked the ball up in midfield before spraying a pass wide to Ethan Cheese. Cheese delivered an inch perfect cross into the box which Cooney rushed onto to score.
That lead was doubled soon after. Ronan Dawson’s incisive ball put Kian Dowling through on goal and he finished expertly.
A change in formation at the start of the second half by the Midlanders caused the away side to look a bit disjointed, and the home team then pulled one back.
However, the Green and White’s responded in style.
The crucial third goal came in the 71st minute. Dylan Ryan found space down the left wing and his cut back was met sweetly by Aidan Kane who swept a tidy finish into the top corner – for his first goal for the club.
Cooney then added his second. A weaving run in central midfield ended with a curling left foot shot from 25-yards out.
Ryan was next to get in on the goalscoring act. Rhys Knight drove into the penalty area, cut the ball back to Cooney who stepped over it for Ryan to slot to net.
Substitute Lewis Jacobs then put the icing on the cake. He reacted quickest after the Longford keeper saved fellow sub Adam Reid effort, to poke in the rebound.
The result leaves Bray in fourth place in the section after completing their 14 games.
Bray Wanderers: Alex Kearney; Jack Nolan, Paddy Kildee Doolan, Ronan Dawson, Ronan Langan; Aidan Kane, Ethan Cheese; Kian Dowling, Rhys Knight, Dylan Ryan; Phil Cooney.
Subs: Lewis Jacobs, Harry Sherlock, Adam Reid, David Winkler.
* Bray goal scorers Lewis Jacobs, Kian Dowling, Dylan Ryan, Aidan Kane, and Philip Cooney (2).
