Bray Wanderers 1 Dundalk 2
Bray suffered a narrow EA SPORTS U17 League of Ireland Tier 2 North defeat as they lost out by the odd goal in three to Dundalk,
The elements played a big factor in the clash at the Carlisle Grounds on Sunday afternoon as the away outfit repeated their 2-1 triumph at Oriel Park from last month.
The Lilywhites led 2-0 at the interval – with the aid of a stiff breeze.
Wanderers pulled one back early in the second period. But were unable to find the vital equaliser.
Home custodian Jamie Dalton was required to thwart both Patrick Ibikunle (4) and Tomas Stoskus (10) early on.
U15 Player Conor Cunningham started his first game at this level. The young winger saw his 14th minute shot blocked in the box before firing the rebound over the bar.
The Louth side then took a 16th minute lead. Played in by Ibikunle, Oisin Smyth evaded the diving Dalton and rolled into an empty net.
Bray almost equalised five minutes later. Cunningham fed Sean Howard. His curling 20-yard effort cannoned off the bar. Billy Feeney put the ball back into the six-yard area. But it was cleared for a corner.
Dundalk then made it 2-0 in the 31st minute.
Nick Negru lofted a ball over the top from the right of the halfway line, Ibikunle span off two defenders. The strike then rifled in from the edge of the box.
With the wind at the backs after the turnaround, the Green and White’s pulled one back in the 52nd minute.
Howard’s slide rule pass slipped in Feeney off the right channel. He managed to squeeze his effort past away keeper Nathan Keenan.
Having been brought on at half time, home reserve netminder Alex Forde almost got on the score-sheet in the 64th minute.
His long punt almost bounced past Keenan who scrambled the ball out for a corner.
Forde then made a fine 86th minute save to deny Smyth.
U15 Player Alex Mernagh went close to Seagulls equaliser on 87. But his free found the side netting.
Then in the 89th minute, Feeney was again played in off the right flank. But the winger placed his attempt over the bar.
Bray Wanderers: Jamie Dalton; Luke Burke, Max Free, Bailey Shelley, Adeyemi Raphael Odogiyan; Albie Tormey, Sean Howard; Billy Feeney, Aaron Murphy; Conor Cunningham; Romeo Fomenky.
Subs: Jamie Lynch, Ryan Higgins, Lewis Brady, Alex Mernagh, Alex Forde.
Dundalk: Nathan Keenan; Nick Negru, Leon Laban, Caelan O'Brien, Karl Stenson-Browne, Arber Limoni, Callum Delahan; Oisin Smyth, Adeola Odusanya, Tomas Stoskus; Patrick Ibikunle.
Subs: Jordan Vocella Tomiwa Anunlopo, Jack Martin, Oluwaferanmi Makinwa, Michael Cummins, Jamie Grace, Josh Weldon, Tristan McGowan Doyle, Aaron O'Donoghue.
Referee: Cillian O'Reilly. Assistants: Keith Neville, Dominique Lachaussee (all Wicklow ISRS).
* Elsewhere in the section, Longford Town and Mayo FC played out a 2-2 draw at Bishopsgate. Finn Harps beat Derry City 5-0 at the Letterkenny Community Centre. Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers finished 1-1 at the MDL Grounds.
All the results means that Drogheda and Finn Harps lead the way on 18 points. Sligo have 16 points with Longford on 14 points. Dundalk have 12 points while Bray are next on six points.
* Bray are on the road on Sunday September 7 next against Drogheda United at the MDL Grounds.
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