Match Report - Bray Wanderers 1 Dundalk FC 3

 

A whirlwind start by Dundalk saw them spoil the Bray party on the new all-weather surface at the Carlisle Grounds. 

In from of a crowd of 1,650 on Friday evening, the visitors scored twice between the eighth and 11th minutes before making it 3-0 in the half hour. 

With the new LED floodlights shining brightly, a slow beginning by the young Seasiders against a more experienced opponents proved costly for the Wicklow club. 

From their 1-0 away victory over Kerry FC last week at Mounthawk Park, the Seagulls made two changes. 

Guillermo Almirall started his first game of the season while there was a senior home debut for Richard Ferizaj. 

There was a long awaited return to the first team squad for defender Dylan Barnett on the bench. He was joined by Danu Kinsella-Bishop and Philip Cooney. 

The Lilywhites were unchanged from the side who drawn 2-2 with Treaty United last week. 

In the first league of the clubs since 2018 season, the Louth side went ahead in the eight when a through ball rebounded off Jordan Tallon. 

The unfortunate Max Murphy slipped which allowed the unmarked Daryl Horgan to nip inside the penalty area and fire past Jimmy Corcoran from 14-yards. 

It got even better three minutes later. 

Keith Ward’s corner went deep. Aodh Dervin put the ball back into the danger zone with Dean Ebbe applying the finishing touch, a glancing header that a covering Bray player was unable to keep out on the goal-line. 

The Oriel Park outfit notched a third in the 30th minute. 

Sean Keogh’s left wing cross was blocked back to him. He headed the follow up towards the six-yard area. The ball ran loose to Eoin Kenny to slot in from eight yards. 

The Green and White’s were much improved in the second period. And registered a 93rd minute consolation. 

Max Murphy lofted a free from the left into the box. Jamie Duggan headed across goal. Jordan Tallon got a touch just yards from the line. 

Paul Murphy tried to turn and score close in but was fouled by Peter Cherrie tackle with his feet. 

Max Murphy made no mistake from the resulting penalty. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Jamie Duggan; Jordan Tallon, Cian Doyle (Rhys Knight 73); Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight 66), Justin Ferizaj (Rhys Bartley 46), Calum Costello (Billy O’Neill 72); Cian Curtis (Danu Kinsella Bishop 66). 

 

Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Harvey Warren, Philip Cooney, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Doyle 44. 

 

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Aodh Dervin, Vincent Leonard, Sean McHale, Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 88); Harry Groome, Andy Parashiv (Gbemi Arubi 72); Daryl Horgan, Keith Ward (Shane Tracey 72), Eoin Kenny, Dean Ebbe (TJ Molloy 83). 

 

Subs not used: Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Luke Mulligan, Muhammad Haris, Samuel Safaei. 

 

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett.