Bray Wanderers 2 Derry City 1
Thomas Morgan’s late winner secured a first home success for Bray in the U19 Phase 2 LOI Academy League Tier 2 (North).
Up against a physical Derry side at Ballycorus on Sunday afternoon, Wanderers followed up last weeks 4-3 away triumph over Longford to make it six points in the last eight days.
Starting brightly, the Seagulls went close on three occasions inside the opening eight minutes through Daniel Chukwu, Roland Olakanye and Hayden Roche.
But the Green and White’s did hit the front in the 27th minute.
Olakanye chased down a ball down the left flank and get ahead of a covering defender. He then bore down on goal and fired high past Fintan Doherty from 15-yards.
However, that they joy was short-lived as City equalised in spectacular fashion in the 37th minute.
Capitalising on a loose pass, Sean Patton showed a piece of individual skill to hit a first time 22-yard shot beyond Alexander Kearney who was making his full U19 debut as Bray goalkeeper.
In a tight second period, what proved to be the winner arrived in the 77th minute.
Chukwu’s corner went deep. Sub Scott Browne’s volley was blocked to outside the box. Fellow reserve Harry Sherlock sent it back into the danger zone. It fell to Morgan who controlled his chest, span and struck a left footed 14-yard low volley to the net.
Derry defender Ben McGonigle went close to an unorthodox leveller in the 84th minute as his free wide left from the halfway line dropped onto the roof netting.
The Seasiders had the final opportunity. But in the first minute of stoppage time, Doherty pulled off a double save to deny both Lewis Jacobs then sub Brent Culbert.
Elsewhere in the section, Sligo Rovers defeated Athlone Town 4-2 at the Showgrounds to lead the section on nine points form their first three games.
Bray Wanderers: Alexander Kearney; Joshua Kerr, Caleb O’Neill, Leon Ajala, Hayden Roche; Ben Clarke, Max Hennessy; Daniel Chukwu, Thomas Morgan, Roland Olakanye; Lewis Jacobs.
Subs: Callum Goad, Don O Toole, Brent Culbert, Scott Higgins, Harry Sherlock, Scott Browne, Jack Ross.
Derry City: Fintan Doherty; Conor Barr, Kyle McCloskey, Adhamh Patton, Ben McGonigle; Conall McGarrigle; Rory O Donnell, Tiernan McGinty, Callum McCay, Oisin Duffy; Sean Patton.
Subs: Caoimhan Crossan, Jack McLaughlin, Aaron Heaney, Callum Doherty, Oran White.
Referee: Oliver Moran. Assistants: Darragh White, Darragh Keegan.
* Bray are down to be idle next weekend.
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