Bray Wanderers 1 Shamrock Rovers 2
Despite a strong second half showing, Bray fell to their first LOI Academy MU15 Group 1 defeat of the season.
Shamrock Rovers deservedly led 2-0 at the interval on Saturday afternoon at the Carlisle Grounds.
The Seagulls rallied after the break, pulling one back from the penalty spot.
The visitors were then reduced to ten players. But Wanderers were unable to find the vital equaliser.
Both teams had started the campaign with victories last week – Wanderers seeing off Wexford FC 3-1 at Ferrycarrig Park while the Dubliner’s won 8-0 at Roadstone Academy against Klub Kildare.
Playing in all Black, the away side took a 21st minute lead.
Tom Casey was felled just outside the box on the right, near the endline. From the resulting free-kick, Robert Morgan fired the ball high in the far top left hand corner of the net.
It because 2-0 on the half hour. But it was disputed.
From a visiting corner, Sam Hourihan initially claimed at the front post. He went to ground under pressure from Chidozie Matthew Chad’s challenge from behind.
The ball popped loose from the goalkeeper’s grasp, with Casey reacting to lift the rebound into the roof of the net. Referee Peter Moynihan, close by, awarded the goal.
The Wicklow outfit were more competitive after the interval.
They pulled one back when Harry Murray was brought down by away custodian Kyle Waters O'Connor – who was booked - in the 18-yard area in the 62nd minute.
The striker picked himself up to convert the penalty.
Then in the 71st minute, the Rovers goalkeeper picked up a second yellow by bringing down home sub Liam Richardson ten yards outside the penalty area.
But Bray were unable to find the levelling score against the opposing ten players before the final whistle.
Bray Wanderers: Sam Hourihan; Alex O'Connor, Dylan McGuinness, Christian Scanlan, Alex Fox; Alex Mernagh, Fionnáin Ó Snodaigh; Joshua Cron, Daniel Howard, Zac Lawlor, Harry Murray.
Subs: Liam Richardson, Andrew McCarron, Mason Kelly, Drew Mernagh, James Daly, Ross Kavanagh.
Shamrock Rovers: Kyle Waters O'Connor; Patrick Toth, Robert Morgan, Jamie Jacob; Ben Nolan; Luke Hollingsworth, Mate Isakadze; Tom Casey, Harry Rehill, Fionn Dara McCormack Crowe; Chidozie Matthew Chad.
Subs: Senan Flynn, Pearse Colwell, Conor O'Farrell, Joseph Manicle, Cathal McAuliffe, Davin Quinn.
Referee: Peter Moynihan.
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* Elsewhere in the section, Waterford FC beat Klub Kildare 2-0 at the FBD Hotels and Resorts Park. CK United overcame Wexford Fc 4-1 at the Valley Ballon.
After two sets of fixtures, both Shamrock Rivers and Waterford have six points. Both Bray and CK United have three points.
* Bray are away to Klub Kildare at the FBD Hotels and Resorts Park on Saturday March 7.
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