Bray Wanderers 3 Wexford FC 2
Bray booked their place LOI Academy MU15 Plate decider by beating Wexford in the Semi Final.
The two teams had met in the EA Sports LOI Group A back in March and May of this year, with each club winning 2-0 at the Carlisle Grounds and Ferrycarrig Park.
But the third meeting on Saturday afternoon at the Carlisle Grounds was much more decisive – despite a single goal in it at full time.
Wanderers were 3-0 up by the 63rd minute, having led 1-0 just before the interval, on their way to the final.
In truth, the score-line flattered the Slaneysiders – as they pulled two goals back in the 87th and 90th minutes.
A series of first half opportunities were not taken by the hosts. They too were not helped by a number of poor refereeing decisions – which should – at the very least – resulted in two penalties.
Despite the visitors starting well, and ex-Arklow United player Cian Murphy bringing a fine reaction save for a corner off Elliot Homan early on, it was the home side had the better of the first period.
In the 18th minute, Daniel Oluwadara Olusola was clearly fouled inside the box. But referee Dominique Lachaussee somehow awarded a free outside the area.
Kyle Jackson then clipped the bar with a 20-yard drive in the 27th minute.
Two minutes later, away custodian Luke Axinte made a double save to thwart Jackson, then recovered to deny Lewis Brady, off the second follow-up.
A home goal was inexplicably ruled out by the match official – when Jamie Lynch headed in Alex Mernagh’s 38th minute corner – for an apparent foul (which the away outfit didn’t appeal for).
Oluwadara Olusola was again clipped in the penalty area in the 44th minute. But play was allowed continue as the attacker honestly tried to stay on his feet.
However, Bray’s pressure paid off right on half time.
Home skipper Ryan Higgins played a superb ball from his own half down the right channel for Oluwadara Olusola to chase. He burst past a defender then expertly slotted low past Axinte.
The second period seven minutes old when the Seagulls doubled that lead.
From a throw in their own half near the right touchline, Danny Howard gathered possession, He then turned and switched play wide left to pick out Conor Cunningham.
The winger stood up a defender then jinked inside, before hitting a rasping 20-yard right-footed effort that found the far right corner of the net via Axinte’s fingertips.
The game was virtually over when it became 3-0 just 12 minutes later.
Mernagh floated over a corner from the right flank. It dropped at the back stick with Rhys Behan controlling, then firing a volley to the roof of the net.
Wexford pulled one back with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Sub goalkeeper Shane O’Dowd was adjudged to have handled the ball outside his box.
From the free-kick in the ‘D, former Rathnew AFC player Failim Drew Redmond drilled low in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
With the tie into the 90th minute, Aleksandar Panic delivered a corner from the left. O’Dowd initially gathered and appeared to get a nudge. The keeper spilled the ball with away sub Joel Osawe scoring from close range.
Bray Wanderers: Elliot Homan; Cillian Walsh, Jamie Lynch, Ryan Higgins, Rhys Behan; Lewis Brady, Alex Mernagh; Daniel Oluwadara Olusola, Danny Howard, Conor Cunningham; Kyle Jackson.
Subs: Kristofer Marku, Nathan Roberts Byrne, Zac Lawlor, Senan Dutton, Sean Goggin, Shane O'Dowd.
Wexford FC: Luke Axinte; Oisin O'Connor, Shane Jordan, Sean Galway, Callen O'Grady; Jude Rossiter, Aleksandar Panic; Hugo Morris, Archie Renwick, Cormac Cunningham; Cian Murphy
Subs: Failim Drew Redmond, Bernard Switon, Joel Osawe, James McBride.
Referee: Dominique Lachaussee (Wicklow ISRS)
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* In the other semi-final, CK United defeated Kerry FC 3-0 at Mounthawk Park.
The final is provisionally fixed for Saturday November 8 at the Carlisle Grounds.
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