Bray Wanderers 3 Athlone Town 1
On another record breaking night at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray moved back up to second place in the SSE Airtricity First Division
Jamie Duggan, Conor Knight, and Billy O’Neill all registered goals as Wanderers equalled the club record six straight home League wins in a row.
That feat was last achieved between November 2000 and February 2001.
It only took 50 days this time round.
Under brilliant sunshine by the seaside, the Seagulls did a League double over Athlone to climb above Cobh Ramblers who succumbed to leaders Dundalk.
From the team who’d drawn away to leaders Dundalk last week, there was two changes with Guillermo Almirall and Calum Costello coming into the line-up.
On the bench, both Danú Kinsella Bishop and Kyle Degelman returned from injury to join the substitutes. Joshua Kerr was promoted up from the U20’s to join the replacements.
The Green and White’s started well and went close to an eighth minute opener. Costello won possession just outside the right of the box. His low drive hit the bottom of the far upright. But O’Neill – playing up the middle – scooped the rebound over the bar close in.
But Bray hit the front in the 18th minute.
It was full-back to full back – just like Cobh away earlier this month - as Max Murphy whipped over a free wide right footed. Duggan rose highest to steer in a brilliant ten-yard downward header.
Having bagged the winner when the teams met last April at the Athlone Town Stadium, Conor Knight then lit up the seaside venue.
After Almirall’s initial tackle to win the ball back in the 26th minute, O’Neill’s touch pass set up Conor Knight off the left flank.
He burst towards the penalty area. But turned down back on his right foot to unleash a curling 16-yard shot that bent in off the far post.
The result was never in doubt from the 64th minute as Duggan cut out former Wanderer Dan McKenna’s pass in his own half. Then played a slide-rule ball of his own to release O’Neill.
The teenager outpaced the covering McKenna, evaded ex-Seagull Matthew Connor’s dive and slotted in low left footed from 12-yards.
Both O’Neill and Costello spurned late chances to added to the Wicklow clubs’ tally late on, while front man Leon Keogh came off the bench to make his League debut for Bray.
The Midlanders bagged a consolation in the 88th minute. Sub Kyle O’Connor clipped in a cross from the left. And fellow reserve Klye Robinson steered in a close range header off the underside of the crossbar.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran, Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell (Benjamin Fagbemi 86), Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley (Jordan Tallon 77), Guillermo Almirall (Jamie Ryan 74); Calum Costello, Rhys Knight, Conor Knight; Billy O’Neill (Leon Keogh 86).
Subs not used: Thomas Considine, Danú Kinsella Bishop, Joshua Kerr, Kyle Degelman, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Almirall 50,
Athlone Town: Matt Connor; Cole Omorehiomwan, German Fuentes Rodriguez (John Ross Wilson half time), Brian Torre (Kyle O’Connor 27); Noe Baba, Dan McKenna (Billy Gilmore 66); Kailin Barlow (Declan McDaid half time), Aaron Connolly, Gideon Tetteh; Ben Feeney (Kyle Robinson half time).
Subs not used: Adam Wixted, Bastien Hery, Adam Lennon, Lee Axworthy Duggan,
Booked: Torre 22, Wilson 61
Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork)
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Rhys Bartley.
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