Bray Wanderers 3 Kerry FC 1
A piece of history was created on Saturday afternoon as Bray reached the final of the LOI Academy Women’s U17 Plate.
The 3-1 victory over Kerry at the Carlisle Grounds meant that - for the first time under the club’s partner with Greystones United AFC - a Ladies team had secured their place in the decider of League of Ireland competition.
After taking an early lead, two more goals in the less than 90 seconds saw Wanderers go in 3-0 up at the break.
It was the third match between the two clubs in as many months.
Back in August at the Woodlands, the Wicklow side won 1-0 in the EA Sports LOI Tier 2 South tie. The reverse fixture at Mounthawk Park in September ended in a 1-1 draw.
Amid blustery playing conditions, Bray took a 12th minute lead.
From wide left, Elsha Murphy found Grace Leonard. She took on a defender to hit a cross-shot just past the corner of the box. The ball sailed to the back post and nestled in the net.
Then two quick-fire goals in the 27th and 28th minutes saw the hosts go 3-0 ahead.
First Isabella MacLeod received a pass in the centre circle in her own half. The attacker then burst forward, evading a defender inside the left of the penalty area.
From the low drive, away custodian Sara Murphy made a fine parried save. The ball ran free towards the goal-line, with Rebecca Keating reacting to score.
Barely a minute later, from near the right corner flag, Siofra O'Farrell hooked a cross towards the goal.
MacLeod got ahead of her marker at the front post; to flick the ball and it dropped into the far left corner of the net.
With the stiffening breeze making playing conditions difficult in the second period, the home defence (with the squad utilised), held off the visitors.
Kerry did bag what was a consolation in the 75th minute.
After good work by sub Niamh Fitzgibbon on the left, defender Liadh Forde fired a rising shot from the edge of the area to the roof of the net.
Bray Wanderers: Eva Gaube; Ava Clarke, Naomi Wall, Lily Johnson, Katie Cowley Lane; Elsha Murphy, Siofra O'Farrell, Millie Coulson; Rebecca Keating, Isabella MacLeod, Grace Leonard.
Subs: Ava Browne, Anna Morrissey, Kitty O'Beirne, Fidelma Lopez Hanlon, Lauren McFetridge, Isabel O'Reilly, Alannah Brown, Rebecca Howard.
Kerry FC: Sara Murphy; Liadh Forde, Grace Reilly, Isobel Conway, Lauren O'Brien; Rebecca Flanagan, Amelia Carroll Kelly; Emma Murnane, Aideen Riedy, Eadaoin Larkin; Maja Wolska.
Subs: Haley O' Flaherty, Kate Forde, Niamh Fitzgibbon, Meabh Deasy, Jessica Meade, Sadbh O'Halloran, Maggie Quirke, Clodagh Quirke.
Referee: Kevin Neville. Assistants: Michael Kennedy, Mark Wynne (all Wicklow ISRS).
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* In the other Semi Final, ck United overcame Klub Kildare 4-3 after extra time at FBD Hotels and Resorts Park.
* It is possible that CK United will have home advantage in the final. It may be played on Monday October 27. Please check the club social media for updates.
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