Waterford FC 1 Bray Wanderers 0
Friendly, Regional Sports Centre, 1 February 2020
Wanderers suffered their first pre-season defeat with this narrow loss away to premier division Waterford FC. Waterford had an early chance when Robbie McCourt’s cross into the box just evaded the Waterford attackers. Michael O’Connor could have opened the scoring after creating space in the Bray box but, the striker’s effort was deflected out for a corner kick.
On the stroke of half time, Darragh Gibbons fouled Sam Bone just outside the area. Kevin O’Connor’s well struck free kick gave Adam Hayden no chance and the Blues went into the break a goal up.
Wanderers had chances in the second half. On 49 minutes Gary Shaw got on the end of Brandon McCann’s cross, but he could only head the ball wide of Ryan’s upright. Conor Behan had a chance to equalise on 74 minutes. A great ball in from Paul Keegan flew across the Waterford six-yard box, but Behan was unable to touch it into the back of the net.
Ten minutes from time, Dean Walsh fed Matty Smith but he was unable to get his shot in. .
Waterford FC: 25 Tadhg Ryan, 4 Sam Bone, 8 Ali Coote, 9 Michael O’Connor, 10 Shane Griffin, 12 john martin, 14 Kevin O’Connor, 17 Trialist A, 18 Robbie McCourt, 19 Will Fitzgerald, 20 Graham Cummins.
Subs: 2 Trialist B, 6 Scott Allardice, 7 Trialist C, 11 Mattie Smith, 15 Dean Walsh, 16 Darragh Power, 30 Paul Martin (gk)
Bray Wanderers; 1 Adam Hayden, 2 John Ross Wilson, 3 Dylan Barnett, 5 Aaron Barry, 7 Ryan Graydon, 9 Joe Doyle, 11 Derek Daly, 14 Tristan Noack Hoffmann, 15 Darragh Gibbons, 19 Brandon McCann, 20 Gary Shaw.
Subs: 6 Paul Keegan, 12 Jack Watson, 16 Enda Minogue (gk), 22 Luke Nolan, 23 Cian Walsh, 24 Glen Hollywood, 25 Conor Behan.