Bray Wanderers 1 Waterford FC 2
Bray’s brave SSE Airtricity Promotion/Relegation Play-off bid came to an end on Friday against Waterford.
After Wanderers took the lead early in front of a fantastic crowd of 3,648 spectators at Tolka Park, the side’s went in level at the interval at 1-1.
The Munster club then claimed a 2-1 win amid a pitch that tore up badly under the rain that that fell.
The Wicklow outfit will look back on a number of decisions that went against them.
Cian Curtis had a first half goal debatably ruled out for offside when the Seagulls led 1-0 in the opening period.
A penalty appeal early in the second period for an apparent foul on Justin Ferizaj went unanswered.
When the winning goal was scored 16 minute from normal time, a Waterford player arguably handled the ball in the lead up to the score.
From the team that had defeated Treaty United in the First Division Play-off, the Green and White’s retained the same starting XI.
The only change came on the bench with Billy O’Neill joining the substitutes after suspension.
Bray hit the front with just eight minutes on the clock.
From the left in his own half, Max Murphy collected the ball. He then hit a brilliant pass wide right to Conor Knight.
Tackled by Kyle White, the ball rebounded for the winger who stroked a 15-yard effort with the outside of his right boot to the far bottom left corner of the net to spark wild celebrations in the Riverside Stand which housed the Wanderers faithful.
The Blue’s did press after that. On 16, Harvey Warren got his head to divert Conan Noonan’s effort over the bar.
Yet 90 seconds later at the other end, a ball over the top by Seasiders skipper Kilan Cantwell, saw Cian Curtis get clear to lob the advancing Stephen McMullan.
But the flag went up for offside with the striker debatably onside.
A combination of Cantwell and Alain Kizenga blocked Padraig Amond’s close range 25th minute attempt just before the goal-line.
But the top-flight team did equalise on the half hour.
Noonan’s short went short to Dean McMenamy. His back-heel set Noonan free by the right byline to clip to the far crowd of the net through a crowded front post area.
Right on half time, Warren made a important block to divert Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka’s shot out for a corner.
The second period was less than a minute old when Kizenga threw his body across to the line to keep out Noonan’s goal bound effort just six yards out.
The large Bray support called for a 53rd minute penalty, when the ball held up in the torn -up Blue’s 18-yard area.
Justin Ferizaj saw his shot charged down by two challenging tackles. But he appeared to be fouled in the process.
However, no spot-kick was awarded by the match official.
O’Neill entered the fray just before the hour. He was fouled just outside the right of the penalty area on 63.
The attacker took the free himself with McMullan diving to his right to stop the ball going in low at the right post.
What proved to be the winner came in the 74th minute.
Rhys Bartley’s clearance was cut out by Ryan Burke. But the defender appeared to use arm to control the ball. Referee Kevin O’Sullivan let play continued.
The ball ran to Samuel Glenfield. He burst past the attentions of three players to angle in a 22-yard right footed drive that found the far bottom left corner of the net.
In stoppage time, Waterford subsitute Navajo Marcelino Bakboord was dismissed when reacting to Warren’s challenge, raising his arms to the Wanderers player – who was also red carded.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga (Richard Ferizaj 84), Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartlety (Rhys Knight 75), Cian Doyle; Conor Knight (Billy O’Neill 57), Sean Brennan (Guillermo Almirall 84), Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis.
Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Benjamin Fagbemi, Matthew Britton, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Doyle 59, Max Murphy 90 + 3.
Sent off: Warren 90 + 3.
Waterford FC: Stephen McMullan; Grant Horton, Daragh Leahy, Ryan Burke; Matthew Smith (Navajo Marcelino Bakboord 76), Dean McMenamy (Samuel Glenfield 60), Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka, Kyle White; Conan Noonan; Thomas Lonergan (Muhammadu Faal 85), Padraig Amond.
Subs not used: Jesse Dempsey, Joshua Miles, Ronan Mansfield, Sean Keane, Trae Bailey Coyle, Bradley Wade.
Booked: Burke 52, White 64, Glenfield 76.
Sent off: Marcelino Bakboord 90 + 3.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)..
Pictures: Stefan and Harry Teehan.
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