Match Report - Bray Wanderers 1 Drogheda United 3 Promotion/Relegation Play-off

Posted on 17th November 2024 at 20:52

Bray Wanderers 1 Drogheda United 3

Bray’s brave SSE Airtricity Promotion/Relegation Play-off bid came to an end on Saturday against FAI Cup champions Drogheda.

Two goals in four minutes late in the first half minutes saw United claimed victory in front of a fantastic crowd on 5,573 spectators at Tallaght Stadium.

In the first meeting of the clubs since September 2020, there was a large shout for handball for United’s 32nd minute opener.

While there was another claim for offside as the Louth side made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute.

With that being said, the Green and White’s will have to accept they lost to the better team on the day – despite a fine second period showing.

But the Seagulls did have chances. And who knows what would have happened had different decisions come from the Premier Division outfit’s two controversial scores.

From the team who edged out Athlone Town on penalties in the First Division Play-off, the Seagulls made two changes.

Right-back Max Murphy returned after suspension with Zach Nolan recovering from injury to take his place at left-back.

As for the Boynesiders, they were unchanged from the side who’d defeated Derry City six days previous at the Aviva Stadium.

With just five minutes on the clock, Conor Kane crossed low from the low. Frantz Pierrot gathered and swivelled but dragged his effort wide.

Wanderers went close in the 12th minute. From Guillermo Almirall’s pass infield from the right flank, Darren Craven shot high and over from 22-yards.

In the 20th minute, Shane Griffin clipped over a free which Cole Omorehiomwan met with a fine header. But United custodian Luke Dennison superbly tipped over the bar.

Five minutes later at the other end, Douglas James Taylor drilled in from the right of the box. Pierrot got a touch close in. But the ball rebounded wide of the mark.

But the Claret and Blue’s hit the front in the 32nd minute.

Sub Luke Heeney switched play left to right. Former Wanderer Dave Webster headed back into the box.

James Taylor tried to control and appeared to use his arm in doing so. James Bolger reacted and angled in a 14-yard low half volley.

It became 2-0 just four minutes later.

Elicha Ahui broke past a tackle and slipped in Darragh Markey. Wide right of the penalty area, he delivered a low cross that Pierrot converted at the near post with a back-heel.

The Wicklow team responded in the 38th minute.

Craven played a ball over the top for Cristian Magerusan to chase down off the right channel. His struck from 20-yards on the run. But Dennison got a vital touch save at the expense of a corner.

With Ben Feeney brought on the interval, Bray rejigged by going two up top.

But Drogheda went close as Pierrot headed over in the 47th minute.

The striker then headed against the post three minutes later when getting on the end of Ahui’s right endline centre.

It proved third time lucky in the 52nd minute.

Markey won possession wide right and crossed. Pierrot appeared to be offside in the box. But no flag came.

That allowed the forward to control and hit a volley on the spin from 15-yards to the far bottom left corner of the net.

However, Wanderers rallied and pulled one back in style in the 63rd minute.

Collecting a lobbed pass from John O’Sullivan, Harry Groome attacked the space in front of him. As it opened up, he fired in a stunning 25-yard shot to the net.

It gave the Seasiders hope. Magerusan blasted over on 70.

Then in the 84th minute, Groome threaded a pass to Griffin. As the ball sat up, he hit a dipping left footed volley from 25-yards that dropped just wide.

Then in the 87th minute, Magerusan got on the end of Griffin’s in swinging free-kick. But his header went straight onto Dennison’s arms.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran, Max Murphy, Killian Cantwell, Cole Omorehiomwan, Zach Nolan; Darren Craven (Billy O'Neill 79), Harry Groome; Guillermo Almirall (Ben Feeney half time); Shane Griffin, John O’Sullivan; Cristian Magerusan.

Sub not used: Jamie Duggan, Alain Kizenga, Zayd Abada, Conor Knight, Josh McGlone, Rhys Knight, Stephen Mc Guinness.

Booked: Omorehiomwan 29, Magerusan 83.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Elicha Ahui, Andrew Quinn, David Webster, James Bolger, Conor Kane; Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney 18), Ryan Brennan, Darragh Markey; Douglas James Taylor (Adam Foley 72); Frantz Pierrot (Warren Davis 82).

Subs not used: Aaron Harper Bailey, Jack Keaney, Gary Deegan, Matthew O'Brien, Aaron McNally, Andrew Wogan.

Booked: James Taylor 11, Dennison 79.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).

Pictures: Ben McShane and Thomas Flinkow (Sportsfile).