Bray Wanderers 2 Drogheda United 5
Bray were unable to hold on to an early two goal lead as they suffered an EA SPORTS U17 League of Ireland Tier 2 North loss to Drogheda.
The Wicklow side flew out of the traps and were 2-0 ahead by the 12th minute on Sunday afternoon at the Carlisle Grounds.
But United rallied to lead 3-2 at the interval before securing a 5-2 victory by the final whistle.
On the back of two recent defeats in the section, the Green and White’s went ahead in the third minute as new signing Romeo Fomenky made his mark on his debut.
The striker latched onto Luke Burke’s astute through ball off the right wing to strike a half volley past Brandon Gough-Smith from 15-yards.
It got even better for the hosts as they doubled that advantage in the 12th minute.
Bailey Shelley whipped over a free from the left. It bounced in the box before Wanderers captain Max Free arrived to place a half volley at the back post to the roof of the net.
But the Louth team pulled one back in the 24th minute.
Ewan Fox’s shot was charged down outside the box. Excel Imade’s follow up was deflected to Jack Richmond who slotted in low from 12-yards.
The Boynesiders then squared the game at 2-2 in the 36th minute.
From a throw, Imade got into the box off the left wing and set up Tunde Anunlopo to side foot in low from 14-yards.
The away club took the lead on the stroke of half time.
Anunlopo’s slide rule pass saw Redmond beat the offside and shoot past Jamie Dalton from inside the penalty area.
The next score was always going to be crucial. It went Drogheda’s way four minutes into the second period.
Cian O'Leary crossed from the left with Redmond challenging a Bray defender and reserve goalkeeper Alex Forde before the ball bobbled over the line.
With the Seasiders pushing to get back into the match, space opened up.
United exploited it in the 68th minute. From a break away, Redmond passed inside from the left to the unmarked inside the box to make it 5-2.
The big bonus though is the Seagulls player pathway continues to produce.
U15 player Lewis Brady started while his team-mates at that level Jamie Lynch, Conor Cunningham, Daniel Oluwadara Olusola and Alex Mernagh came on as substitutes.
Bray Wanderers: Jamie Dalton; Luke Burke, Adeyemi Raphael Odogiyan, Max Free, Bailey Shelley; Albie Tormey, Aaron Murphy; Sean Hennelly, Lewis Brady, Billy Feeney; Romeo Fomenky.
Subs: Jamie Lynch, Conor Cunningham, Daniel Oluwadara Olusola, Alex Mernagh, Alex Forde.
Drogheda United: Brandon Gough-Smith; Harry McGuirk, Frank Foran, Jamie McCann, Oisin McBrearty; Joey Hegarty, Ewan Fox; Tunde Anunlopo, Excel Imade, Cian O'Leary; Jack Richmond.
Subs: Conor Hassett, Sean Hegarty, Ben Bergin, Gary Gallagher Comiskey, Gearoid Hannigan, Shayne O'Byrne.
Referee: Mark Wynne. Assistants: Darren O’Brien, Dominique Lachaussee (all Wicklow ISRS).
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* Elsewhere in the section, Sligo Rovers defeated Mayo FC 4-0 at the Showgrounds (Astro). Derry City overcame Longford Town 3-1 at Bishopsgate. Finn Harps and Dundlak played out a 1-1 draw at Letterkenny Community Centre.
All the results mean Drogheda are the new Group leaders on with 13 points from six games. Longford are second on ten points from six matches. Sligo and Finn Harps are on nine poiints for five games. Dundalk are on eight points from five outings with Bray on six points from five matches.
* Bray are on the road on Sunday August 17 when they travel to take on Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds (Astro Turf).
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