Match Report - Bray Wanderers 0 Longford Town 1
Posted on 5th July 2024 at 19:34
A failure to take their chances cost Bray as Longford produced a smash and grab to leave the Carlisle Grounds with all three points.
The home management team of Lorcan Fitzgerald and Paul Heffernan suffered an SSE Airtricity First Division defeat on their own turf for the first time on Thursday night.
The Green and White’s had the majority of the ball as the Midlanders sat back and tried to hit on the break.
Wanderers – despite having the clear scoring opportunities – couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Jack Brady.
With the 90 minutes almost up, and against the run of play, former Seagull Adam Wixted scored the crucial goal for the ‘Town.
From the team narrowly beaten 1-0 last month against leaders Cork at Turner’s Cross, there was one change as Peter Grogan replaced Cristian Magerusan in attack.
Evan Osam made a welcome return on the bench after injury. U17 players Rhys Knight and Billy O’Neill were included amongst the substitutes.
The hosts started well, and Grogan had a sixth minute effort ruled out for offside. Freddie Turley then headed over Max Murphy’s centre 90 seconds later.
In the 26th minute, the Seasiders broke from an away corner. Harry Groome released Callum Thompson. His through ball tried to pick out the onrushing Turley who couldn’t control with just Brady to beat just inside the box.
Thompson weaved infield on 36 from the left flank only to shoot straight at the ‘Town custodian from 20-yards.
Seconds later at the other end, an offside flag ruled out Jordan Adeyemo close range attempt.
Then in the 38th minute, Groome was slipped into the penalty area. But he couldn’t force his low effort past Brady at the expense of a corner.
The trend of Bray pressing continued after the interval.
Groome’s measured 53rd minute pass set Grogan free. He was held up near the goal by Brady. The ball rebounded to Darren Craven whose shot was charged down.
Longford went close just before the hour. But Adeyemo fired into the side netting.
Wanderers probing went on. On 75, Groome’s precise pass picked out Guillermo Almirall who was thwarted by Brady’s fine save.
A minute later, skipper Kilian Cantwell was just off target with a shot with the outside of his boot from 20-yards.
In the 86th minute, the ball rebounded to release sub Thomas Morgan in on goal. But Brady came out to block.
Just when it seemed the game would end up a draw, Longford’s three subs worked the trick to give them the unlikely win.
Emmanuel James sprayed the ball wide from the from the left on the halfway line. Fellow reserve Francis Campbell then squared after getting past Kieran Cruise. Wixted teed himself up before lashing to the net from eight-yards.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Zach Nolan, Kieran Cruise; Harry Groome, Freddie Turley; Callum Thompson (Conor Knight 65), Darren Craven (Thomas Morgan 65), Guillermo Almirall (Billy O'Neill 89); Peter Grogan.
Subs not used: Evan Osam, Paul Murphy, Zayd Abada, Josh McGlone, Rhys Knight, Ben Clark.
Booked: Cruise 4, Turley, 63, Grogan 85.
Longford Town: Jack Brady; Shane Elworthy, Viktor Serdeniuk, Dean O'Shea, Kyle O'Connor; Ross Fay, Bastien Hery (Jordan Tallon 70); Daniel Norris (Adam Wixted 80), Eric Yoro (Francis Campbell 80), Mohammed Boudiaf (Karl Chambers 70); Jordan Adeyemo (Emmanuel James 80).
Subs not used: Emre Topcu, Chris Lotefa, Carl Lennox, Jack McCarthy.
Referee: Jason Moore (Kilkenny).
Pictures: Mick Hanney (Bray Camera Club). bar.















Tagged as: Senior Team
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