Sligo Rovers 1 Bray Wanderers 0
Despite a good performance, it was a disappointing start for Bray in the LOI Academy MU17 League Tier 2 North
Sligo bagged a 79th minute winner on Saturday afternoon to edge out Wanderers at the Showgrounds Astro.
There was still plenty of positives for the visitors to take as the Seagulls young squad featured no less than 11 U16 players and two more from the U15’s.
The away team got off to a slow start with the home side having a few half chances and more of the ball.
But the Wicklow outfit grew into the game and had two excellent opportunities to take the lead before half time.
Ronan Dawson’s free kick went agonisingly wide, while Dylan Ryan’s volley was touched superbly onto the crossbar custodian by Jack Brehony with Billy O’Neill’s follow up just going over.
Bray improved in the second half and had a flurry of chances.
Substitute Max Colbert had two cross come shots that just needed a touch. But nobody was able to do so.
Then fellow reserve Adam Reid couldn’t convert from close in, and Ryan was denied what looked like a decent penalty shout soon after
The sucker punch came with 11 minutes to go. The Green and White’s failed to clear the box from a corner and Sligo forward Oluwaemi Olajide pounced to force the ball over the goal-line.
The Seasiders continued to chase the equaliser and had a glorious opportunity with the last play of the game. But Colbert’s back post diving header cleared the crossbar.
Bray Wanderers: Alexander Kearney; Jack Nolan, Alain Kizenga, Ronan Dawson, Luke Smith; Paddy Kildee-Doolan, Ethan Cheese; Dylan Ryan, Rhys Knight, Kian Dowling; Billy O’Neill.
Subs: Ronan Langan, Eric Schütte, Roddy Cotter, Max Colbert, Aidan Kane, Adam Reid, Alex Forde.
* Bray are due to host Bohemians on Saturday July 1 at Ballycorus.
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