University College Dublin 1 Bray Wanderers 3
Belfield Bowl, First Division, 2 October 2020
Bray Wanderers returned to the top of the First division after this win over UCD and Drogheda’s surprise home defeat to Athlone Town.
Wanderers made one change to the starting team from last week’s defeat against Drogheda with Joe Doyle starting in place of Jack Watson.
Bray made the perfect start and were ahead after just three minutes. Dylan Barnett’s cross from the left was met by Gary Shaw and he poked the ball under Healy. Minutes later, a Barnett cross from the left wasn’t cleared by the UCD defence and Joe Doyle crashed a shot off the post.
Luka Lovic fired a shot straight at Healy after ten minutes as Wanderers threatened to over-run the Students. Eventually the Students began to come into the game. Brian Maher produced a stunning double save on 25 minutes. Firstly, he denied Colm Whelan and then reacted to deny Yoyo Mahdy’s follow up. Gary Shaw forced Healy into a great save just past the half hour. It was the last piece of action for Shaw as he limped off to be replaced by Darragh Lynch, The Students equalised three minutes before the break when Colm Whelan stabbed the ball home from close range.
Wanderers started the second half strong and Joe Doyle almost restored the lead two minutes into the half when he shot inches wide from inside the box. A minute later, Wanderers restored their lead. Darragh Lynch got on the end of Barnett’s free kick from the left and steered the ball past Healy.
Wanderers had claims for a penalty minutes later when Lynch appeared to be brought down in the area but referee Ray Matthews ignore Bray shouts for a spot kick. Sean McEvoy fired a long range shot which Healy saved on 55 minutes. Wanderers were reward for their good play when Dylan Barnett’s low free kick from the right found the corner of the net in the 61st minute.
Brian Maher produced a great save from Whelan’s low shot with 15 minutes remaining. Derek Daly’s long-range shot flew just over the UCD crossbar minutes from time. Paul Keegan raced clear on the left in the final minute and Healy pushed away his goal bound shot.
Bray Wanderers move back to the top of the First division after this win and are two points clear of Drogheda United with three games remaining..
University College Dublin: 1 Lorcan Healy; 2 Michael Gallagher, 6 Luke Boore, 8 Jack Keaney, 4 Harry McEvoy, 18 Mark Dignam, 21 Paul Doyle, 7 Liam Kerrigan, 22 Evan Weir; 9 Yoyo Mahdy, 10 Colm Whelan.
Substitutes: 12 Isaac Akinsete, 5 Josh Collins, 14 Danu Kinsella Bishop (for McEvoy, 82), 23 Evan Farrell, 19 Michael O’Keane, 16 Eoghan O’Sullivan, 25 Adam Verdon (for Dignam, 65)
Booked: Paul Doyle (32), Jack Keaney (60), Luke Boore (86).
Bray Wanderers: 25 Brian Maher, 2 John Ross Wilson, 3 Dylan Barnett, 4 Killian Cantwell, 5 Aaron Barry, 7 Ryan Graydon, 8 Callum Thompson, 9 Joe Doyle, 17 Luka Lovic, 18 Sean McEvoy, 10 Gary Shaw.
Substitutes; 1 Adam Hayden (Gk), 6 Paul Keegan (for McEvoy, 82), 12 Jack Watson (for Graydon, 76), 11 Derek Daly (for Thompson, 82), 14 Noack-Hofmann, 17 Darragh Lynch (for Shaw, 33), 27 Marlon Marishta
Booked: Booked: Darragh Lynch (44), Aaron Barry (63).
Referee: Ray Matthews
Match Report: Michael Duffy
Pictures: Peter Minogue