Waterford FC 4 Bray Wanderers 1
Two early goals – and two late goals for Waterford – brought an end to Bray’s U19 2023 season.
The Blue’s ran out 4-1 winners in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Shield Quarter Final tie on Sunday afternoon at the SETU Arena Astro.
When the teams met at the same venue in March this year in the U19 LOI Academy part of the season, the Munster outfit narrowly won out 1-0.
This time round, they were 2-0 up with just nine minutes on the clock with Harvey Warren (3) finding the net before Alessandro DeSanctis was on the score-sheet.
But Wanderers hit back to make it 2-1 in the 32nd minute when top-scorer Thomas Morgan added to his impressive tally for the campaign by finishing off Leon Ajala’s assist.
From then until the 75th minute, the Green and White’s went in search of an equaliser.
It wasn’t for the lack of trying as the chances came. But unfortunately were not capitalised on.
Efforts from Ben Clarke, Lewis Jacobs, Daniel Chukwu and Morgan were all spurned.
The visitors also hit the woodwork on two occasions, but the coveted leveller never materialised.
Waterford repelled all of Bray’s attempts and in the end were probably a little flattered with a 4-1 victory – as they added singles through Calum Flynn (75) and substitute Zak O’Sullivan three minutes later.
It was a sad way for a team that has played such terrific football to bow out.
All we are left with now is the memories of some midfield master classes from Jack Kehoe and Ben Clarke; the energy and endeavour of Leon Ajala and Josh Kerr; and the goals of Morgan and Chukwu to mentioned a few.
Bray Wanderers: Jamie Molloy; Joshua Kerr, Callum Goad, Caleb O’Neill, Leon Ajala; Jack Kehoe, Ben Clarke; Daniel Chukwu Thomas Morgan, Roland Olakanye; Lewis Jacobs
Subs: Alex Nolan, Harry Sherlock, Luca Mulhare, Brent Culbert, Hayden Roche.