Wexford FC 0 Bray Wanderers 1
Evan Harte’s second half penalty saw Bray do an U19 EA Sports National Underage League Tier 2 Phase 2 double over Wexford.
When the two teams met at the end of May in the same competition, the Seagulls won 2-0 at Ballycorus with the striker netting the second goal.
Harte again found the net with the decisive score at Ferrycarrig Park last Sunday as Wanderers inflicted a third defeat upon the Slaneysiders in the 2022 season in all competitions.
Previously, when the two clubs met last April at Ballycorus, the Green and White’s won narrowly 1-0 in Group A of the National League Phase 1.
The vital score this time round arrived in the 58th minute.
From a ball over the top down the left channel, away skipper Zach Donohue ran onto it. He went to cut back on the edge of the box but was taken down for a spot-kick. Harte stepped up to convert the dead-ball from 12-yards.
It was a fine overall team display by Bray. And a great reaction to last Wednesday 3-2 home loss to Athlone Town.
In a tight opening period, the Wicklow side started well. But the home team came into the tie. And were twice denied by the woodwork through Tyler Dunphy and new first team signing Eoin Farrell before the interval.
But the visitors dominated possession after the restart as midfielder Ben Clarke pulling the strings with full-back Ben Houton marauding down the right wing.
The last 25 minutes was a serious battle but without Wexford creating a real chance of note.
Donohue had a goal ruled out for offside after good work by Cillian Melwani.
With seven minutes remaining, Wanderers broke when defending a corner. Melwani tried to go clear but was fouled with resulted in a red-card for a Wexford player Alex O’Shea.
Bray Wanderers: Kajus Aksamitas; Ben Houton, Jamie Callaghan, Evan Laughlin, Jack Curran; Jack Kehoe; Cillian Melwani, Ben Clarke, Zach Donohue; Josh McGlone, Evan Harte.
Subs: Gavin Doyle, Sean McLean, Luke O’Connor, Thomas Downey, Ben Clark.
* Bray are scheduled for a quick turnaround to face Athlone Town again on Sunday July 10 next. Kick-off at Lissywollen at 1.00pm.
Pictures by Des O’Connor.
