U17 Match Report - Bray Wanderers 2 Shamrock Rovers 1

 

Bray continued their great recent U17 LOI Academy Tier Two (South) form by beating Shamrock Rovers. 

A goal in each half by Isaac Millington and Bradley Byrne (his first for the club) helped the Seagulls make it six games unbeaten in all competitions at Ballycorus on Sunday afternoon by claiming their second straight win in the competition. 

In a tight opening period, Ethan Cheese saw his 31st minute short-corner tipped over by away custodian Todd Bazunu. Three minutes later at the other end, home goalkeeper Rocco Byrne had to do the same by pushing Ademide Solanke’s looping header onto the top of the bar and over. 

But Wanderers forged the vital breakthrough in the 38th minute. 

Millington harassed a Hoops player out of possession and burst into the box. He was almost tackled by team-mate Cristiano Bramley. But the striker recovered to slot in low from ten-yards. 

Four minutes later, Bramley’s slide rule pass played in Millington only for Bazunu made a fine parried save. 

Bray dominated the early stages of the second half. 

Bramley got between two defenders in the 47th minute to get on the end of Millington’s cross. But his powerful header went over the bar. 

Bramley went close again on 51. After a mazy run and evading two tackles, he was thwarted by Bazunu’s block. 

But that pressure paid off in the 55th minute. 

Bramley got clear wide left. His reverse pass inside set Bradley Byrne free in the penalty area. With the option to cut the ball back, the winger opted to shoot to the net at the near post with a clever finish. 

But the hosts' had to endure a late rally by the Dubliner’s. 

The Hoops pulled one back in the 78th minute as the covering Bailey Shelley diverted into his net at the left hand post fowling a low centre off the flank. 

Then five minutes in time added on, away substitute Danny Burke sent over a left wing cross. 

Ther unmarked Brody Lee arrived the back stick. But powered his close range header off the crossbar. The rebound came to Darragh Marshall ten-yards out only for the covering Luke Smith to make a point-blank block to prevent an equaliser. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Rocco Byrne; Jack Nolan, Max Free, Luke Smith, Bailey Shelley; Aidan Kane, Ronan Dawson; Cristiano Bramley, Ethan Cheese, Bradley Byrne; Isaac Millington. 

 

Subs: Conor Lougheed, Ryan Owens, Eric Schutte, Kian Dowling, Sean Hennelly, Flynn Ryan, Alex Forde. 

 

Shamrock Rovers: Todd Bazunu; Alan Sattell, Barry Kealy, Cian Kenna; Brody Collins; Brody Lee, Sean McDonald, Goodness Ogbonna, Ademide Solanke; 

Darragh Marshall, Charles Akimrintoyo. 

 

Subs: Harry Murray, Danny Burke, Evidence Ikechukwu, Maxwell Cooke. 

 

Referee: Brian O'Connor. Assistants: Ryan Flood, Pierce McKittrick. 

 

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty. 

 

* Elsewhere in the section, joint leaders Galway United beat Cobh Ramblers 6-0 at Athenry FC. Fellow pacesetters Waterford FC defeated Kerry FC 2-1 at the SETU Arena. CK United overcame Limerick FC 2-1 at Killeshin AFC. 

Al; four results mean Galway and Waterford lead the way on 16 points from seven matches. Bray are third on 11 points with CK United and Shamrock Rovers joint fourth on 10 points. 

 

* Bray are back on the road on Sunday September 8. They will take on Waterford FC at thew SETU Arena.