Bray Wanderers 5 Limerick FC 3
Despite falling behind twice in the first half, Bray advanced to the Semi Finals of the LOI Academy U15 Plate.
The young Seagulls went 1-0 down at the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday afternoon before they restored parity against Limerick.,
But the Shannonsiders went back 2-1 up before Wanderers got ahead 3-2 only to be pegged back to 3-3 by the interval by the visitors.
However, two second half goals saw the Green and White’s claim a 5-3 Quarter Final victory.
Lewis Brady, Cillian Walsh, and Connor Cunningham all went for the close for the hosts inside the opening 13 minutes.
Against the run of play – the Blue’s hit the front in the 19th minute.
After Jake Barclay was fouled in the ‘D, Bash Jordan Owolabi curled in a brilliant free-kick.
But the Seasiders were back on level terms by the 20th minute, as Jamie Lynch rose to head in Alex Mernagh’s corner.
That parity was short-lived as the away side regained the lead in the 24th minute.
Played in by Mduduzi Ncube along the left flank, Jordan Owolabi held off two opponents and squeezed the ball low past Shane O'Dowd. The goalkeeper got a touch, but the ball rolled over the line
Wanderers hit back to make it 2-2 in the 39th minute.
Released off the right wing, Walsh’s cutback found Brady. The midfielder’s 14-yard first time finish went in off the left post.
The home team took the lead for the first time in the 43rd minute.
Mernagh’s through ball was headed back towards his own goal by a Limerick player. Nathan Roberts Byrne raced to pounced and fired in low with a placed 15-yard finish.
However, right on the stroke of half time, the Munster outfit made it 3-3.
Osayaman Kelly Ogbebor Egharevba slipped Ncube clear to fire in a low left footed shot to the net from just inside the penalty area.
With the wind at the backs, Bray dominated the second half proceedings.
Their pressure paid off in the 56th minute.
From another Mernagh corner, skipper Ryan Higgsin climbed high at the back post to head in.
The win was sealed in the 79th minute.
Brady played a slide rule pass out left to release Olivier Gnutek. The substitute then drilled in low on the run to the bottom far right corner of the net from 15-yards.
Bray Wanderers: Shane O'Dowd; Senan Dutton, Ryan Higgins, Jamie Lynch, Rhys Behan; Lewis Brady, Alex Mernagh; Cillian Walsh, Kyle Jackson, Conor Cunningham; Nathan Roberts Byrne.
Subs: Kristofer Marku, Olivier Gnutek, Sean Goggin, Elliot Homan.
Limerick FC: Alastair Turner; Fionn Freyne, Eric Kiely, Liam McEvoy, Paul Williams; Donnacha Doyle, Ben Duggan; Jake Barclay, Mduduzi Ncube, Bash Jordan Owolabi; Osayaman Kelly Ogbebor Egharevba.
Subs: Evan Keogh, Lethabo Kutumela, Marvin Pandong, Leonardo Laoreti, Salim Ayyub, Shane Nolan, Konrad Miskiewicz, Yahia Nada.
Referee: Colm Keeley (Wicklow ISRS).
* Elsewhere in the competition on Saturday, Kerry FC defeated Sligo Rovers 2-0 at the Showgrounds (Astro Turf).
The other two Quarter Finals are set for Saturday October 25.
CK United will host Longford Town at the Valley, Ballon. Wexford FC will entertain Mayo FC at Ferrycarrig Park.
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