UCD (U19) 2 Bray Wanderers (U19) 0
A goal at the start and end of the U19 EA Sports National Underage League tie saw Bray fall to a 2-0 Group A loss. With maximum points from their three previous outings, UCD maintained their 100% winning record on Sunday afternoon at the AUL Complex.
The ‘College took a sixth minute through Evan Farrell. Wanderers struggled at the start to move the ball on the ground due to the poor state of the pitch. An injury to Zach Donohue forced an early change with Hayden Roche coming on as his replacement. But the away team grew into the game when the hosts having a sending off after 29 minutes due to a dangerous tackle.
After that, the visitors dominated possession but struggled to break down the home outfits resistance. The Seagulls did create a couple of chances before the break, with the best dropping the Jack Kehoe who met the rebound from a Hayden Roche shot but couldn’t convert.
The second half saw UCD switch to a compact block in the centre of the pitch, defending well, and withstanding Bray’s attempts to break their defence. As the game wore on, further chances came Wanderers way with Dan O Boyle and Cillian Melwhani offering dangerous options out wide. The best opportunity of the second half fell to the impressive Hayden Roche whose header on the back of a Ben Houton cross went just off target.
Late on, UCD summoned one of their few chances from a counter attack which was well converted by Farrell in the 89th minute to secure victory.
Bray return to Ballycorus on Sunday April 3 to host Wexford FC at 2.30pm.
Bray Wanderers U19: Kajus Aksamitas; Ben Houton, Conor McManus, Enda Douglas, Daniel O’Boyle; Jack Kehoe, Ben Clarke; Cillian Melwani, Conor Knight, Zack Donohue; Evan Harte.
Subs: Thomas Downey, Gavin Doyle, Sam Hayden, Hayden Roche, Evan Laughlin, Jamie Callaghan, Josh McGlone, Sean McLean, Ben Clark (gk).
Pictures by Des O’Connor.
