Match Report - Bray Wanderers 5 Treaty United 0
Posted on 31st August 2024 at 18:27
Bray Wanderers 5 Treaty United 0
On a record equalling night, Kieran Cruise claimed a first half hat-trick as Bray moved closer to the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division play-offs.
Three goals in a sensational nine-minute spell saw the Wicklow lead 3-0 by the 17th minute at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday before Cruise completed his treble by the 37th minute.
But by the interval, Wanderers led 5-0 thanks to Ben Feeney’s double. The victory was the Seasiders biggest win of the season (so far).
The score-line also equalled the Green and White’s record of scoring five times in a first half since October 1995 when defeating Monaghan United away at Gortakeegan.
That night also included a treble with Richie Parsons on the mark three times along with fellow club legends Kieran ‘Tarzan’ O’Brien and Anthony’ Bo’ McKeever.
On the back of three wins in the previous four games, the same starting 11 who’d defeated Athlone Town away last week was retained.
The only changes were on the bench as striker Cristian Magerusan and defender Jamie Duggan made a welcome return.
The hosts broke the dead-lock in the ninth minute.
In a move started at the back by skipper Kilian Cantwell, Max Murphy combined with Darren Craven on the halfway line before finding Guillermo Almirall wide right.
He got to the by-line and his low centre was converted by Feeney at the near post.
That lead was doubled just four minutes later. Cruise won possession off Evan O’Connor and fired in low from 20-yards.
Then in the 17th minute, Max Murphy threw the ball to John O’Sullivan and took the return pass. His right wing cross fell to Cruise whose deflected 15-yard half volley found the net.
Cruise completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute.
Started with a Zach Nolan throw wide left, O’Sullivan and Harry Groome combined before Cantwell found Max Murphy off the right flank.
He played a one-two with Craven before whipping a ball over. Fenney left it for Cruise. He cut inside a tackle and blasted in from 15-yards.
In doing so, he became the first Bray player to score a treble since September 2021 when Gary Shaw netted three times against UCD at the Belfield Bowl.
Cruise turned provider in the 42nd minute. He intercepted an intended Mark Walsh pass out left and slipped a low ball across the line of the box for Feeney. On the right of the area, he registered his fourth score of the campaign with angled 15-yard finish.
It also brought the striker’s overall club tally to 20 goals in 63 appearances
In a non-descript second period, United substitute Colin Conroy was dismissed in the 84th for a second booking in just four minutes, having been yellow card in the 81st minute.
From the resulting free-kick, sub Shane Griffin saw his dead-ball superbly saved by Corey Chambers.
The result still leaves Bray fourth in the table – seven points clear of Finn Harps in sixth position in the race for a top five placing – with seven league games remaining.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Killian Cantwell, Max Murphy, Cole Omorehiomwan, Zach Nolan; Harry Groome (Zayd Abada 75), John O'Sullivan (Shane Griffin 59); Guillermo Almirall, Darren Craven (Cristian Magerusan 80), Kieran Cruise (Conor Knight 59); Ben Feeney (Billy O'Neill 59).
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Callum Thompson, Jamie Duggan, Josh McGlone.
Booked: O’Sullivan 32.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch (Christopher Horgan half time), Evan O'Connor (Mark Walsh 17), Ben O'Riordan, Fionn Doherty; Steven Healy; Thomas Considine (Alec Byrne half time), Lee Devitt Molloy, Lee-J Lynch; Stephen Christopher (Colin Conroy half time); Enda Curran (Yousef Mahdy 61).
Subs not used: Michael Dike, Oisín O'Reilly, David Tarmey.
Booked: Curran (49), Byrne (88).
Sent off: Conroy (84).
Referee: Oliver Moran. (Dublin)
Pictures: Mick Hanney (Bray Camera Club).
Mint+ Smart Phones Man of the Match: Kieran Cruise.
Tagged as: Senior Team
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