Match Report - Bray Wanderers 0 UCD 1

Posted on 10th August 2024 at 18:06

Bray Wanderers 0 UCD 1

In the race for the play-offs, Bray’s three-match unbeaten run came to an end against rivals UCD.

In a game that never took life, the visitors breakaway score in the first half at the Carlile Grounds on Friday proved to be the difference in the SSE Airtricity First Division encounter.

Although Wanderers started well, they lacked the penetration that helped them score eight times in their previous three league outings.

The Seagulls were unchanged from the line-up who defeated Finn Harps away last week – with loan signing John O’Sullivan making his home debut.

On the bench, longest serving player Callum Thompson returned alongside teenage striker Billy O’Neill.

Wanderers had a sixth minute claim for a penalty turned down after Max Murphy’s free into the box.

Then in the 16th minute, after Harry Groome’s raking pass, Max Murphy’s low centre flashed across the six-yard area.

Five minutes later, the Green and White’s went close again. Custodian Jimmy Corcoran rolled to O’Sullivan. He pinged a long ball over the top for Kieran Cruise to chase down the left channel. But the low delivery was just behind the inrushing Ben Feeney.

Wanderers pressed again in the 34th minute. But a falling Feeney shot over from 20-yards after linking with Groome and Darren Craven.

Somewhat against the run of play, the Student hit the front in the 36th minute.

With Bray playing a high line in their own half, Sam Norval played a slide rule pass to release Mikey Raggett. The forward held off the challenge Paul Murphy before slotting low past Corcoran from 15-yards.

The expected second half pressure by the Wicklow team didn’t materialise.

Instead, Raggett flashed a 54th minute half volley wide when bursting through off the left wing.

Then in the 57th minute, the away side pressed for possession. Ronan Finn slipped in Sam Verdon. But Corcoran made a low reaction save at his left hand post for a corner.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining, Verdon’s 25-yard free-kick skimmed the side netting.

Irish U16 cap O’Neill was introduced in the 85th minute. He went close to an equaliser late on.

Suib Callum Thopposn raced down the left wing to cross. O’Neill rose well at the back stick. But could not guide his glancing header on target.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Zach Nolan; Harry Groome, John O'Sullivan (Peter Grogan 72); Guillermo Almirall (Billy O'Neill 85), Darren Craven, Kieran Cruise (Callum Thompson 72); Ben Feeney.

Subs not used: Cole Omorehiomwan, Alain Kizenga, Zayd Abada, Conor Knight, Josh McGlone, Stephen McGuinness.

Booked: Cruise 18, Max Murphy 80.

UCD: Kian Moore; Sam Norval (Alex Dunne 90 + 2), Eanna Clancy, Niall Holohan, Adam Wells; Ronan Finn (Donal Higgins 87), Adam Verdon;

Luke O'Regan, Jake Doyle, Michael McCullagh (Colin Bolton 83); Mikey Raggett (Hugh Parker 83).

Subs not used: Harry Curtis, Danu Kinsella Bishop, Stephen Mohan, Adam Brennan, Dara Kavanagh.

Booked: Verdon 14, Finn 79.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Pictures: Dermot O’Brien.