Match Report - UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 1
Posted on 5th October 2024 at 17:27
UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 1
Bray took another step towards the SSE Airtricity First Division play-offs after a thrilling draw away to UCD.
In truth, it was a game that the Seasiders could have easily won, yet lost.
They had the better of the first period exchanges on a wet Friday evening the Bowl.
The ‘College came more into the tie after a triple substitution midway through the second half. And had the opportunity to go ahead with a late penalty which was saved by Jimmy Corcoran.
Yet, the visitors could have still taken all three points with late opportunities.
In front of the biggest away travelling support since the Wicklow outfit lost the 2021 First Division play-off final to the same opposition at Dalymount Park, the Green and White’s hit the front in the 35th minute.
On-loan midfielder John O’Sullivan burst from the centre circle and sprayed the ball wide right to the breaking Darren Craven.
He bared down on goal but squared for Cristian Magerusan to slot in from ten-yards for his tenth goal in all competitions this term.
But the hosts levelled in the 69th minute.
Donal Higgins fed Stephen Mohan wide left. He struck low from 22-yards right footed to the far right bottom corner of the net.
UCD then had the chance to win it. Sam Norval was felled by Jimmy Corcoran in the 83rd minute.
But the netminder keep out Wicklow native and former Bray player Hugh Parker’s penalty, with the sub’s follow up hitting the post.
The Seagulls were unchanged from the side who’d drawn 3-3 with champions Cork City last week at the Carlisle Grounds. The only change was on the bench as defender Paul Murphy made his return from injury.
From the line-up beaten 2-0 last week by play-off rivals Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park, the Student made no less than five changes to their starting team.
Before taking the lead in the opening period, the visitors’ Kieran Cruise was denied by home keeper Kian Moore in the 29th minute.
In the second half, Cole Omorehiomwan linked with Craven in the 55th minute only for the centre half to shoot wide from 20-yards.
Mikey Raggett went close for the home side in the 57th minute. But blazed over in the box.
Shane Griffin saw his 74th minute 25-yard curling attempt brilliantly kept out by Moore.
Then in the 86th minute, the custodian thwarted the midfielder again at the expense of a corner.
The scenario now for Bray is very simple. A top five placing will be secured if they avoid defeat at home to Finn Harps next week.
UCD: Kian Moore; Luke O'Regan, Harry Curtis, Niall Holohan (Eanna Clancy 65), Adam Wells; Donal Higgins, Adam Verdon; Sam Norval, Colin Bolton (Adam Brennan 65), Stephen Mohan; Mikey Raggett (Hugh Parker 65).
Subs not used: Alex Dunne, Matthew Alonge, Danu Kinsella Bishop, Roy Lawlor, Dara Kavanagh.
Booked: Holohan 12.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Cole Omorehiomwan, Zach Nolan; Darren Craven, John O'Sullivan; Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight 87), Shane Griffin, Kieran Cruise; Cristian Magerusan (Ben Feeney 81).
Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Zayd Abada, Josh McGlone, Rhys Knight, Billy O'Neill, Stephen McGuinness
Booked: Griffin 54, Craven 72, Cantwell 79, Cruise 88, Magerusan 90 + 2.
Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork).
Pictures: Thomas Flinkow (Sportsfile).
Tagged as: Senior Team
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