U17 Match Report - Bray Wanderers 3 Klub Kildare 3

Posted on 27th April 2025 at 22:04

Bray Wanderers 3 Klub Kildare 3

In a game that virtually had everything, Bray had to settle for a share of the EA SPORTS MU17 LOI Group A spoils in a six-goal thriller.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval at the Carlsie Grounds on Sunday afternoon, the Wicklow side rallied to lead 3-2 in injury time only for Klub Kildare to snatch a last gasp equaliser.

When the teams met last March at the FBD Resorts and Hotels Park, the Green and White’s won 2-1.

But second time around, they found themselves 1-0 behind in the fifth minute.

From Daniel Connolly’s free off the right., the ball bounced around the box before being fired to the net by Oisin Earley.

The Lilywhites doubled that advantage in the 21st minute when Alex Browne’s low centre from the right led to a scramble. Alex Forde made the initial save but Khalid Meslouhi forced the ball over the goal-line.

The visitors had the opportunity to add a third right on half time. Following a swift breakaway, Browne missed the target close in.

It appeared to have got worse for Wanderers in the 65th minute as they lost Luke Burke to a red card.

Instead, Bray turned it around. Sean Howard struck the bar in the 70th minute.

They reduced their arrears in the 76th minute. From sub Karl Ralph’s cutback near the right corner flag, Flynn Ryan’s mishit half volley from ten-yards looped over away keeper John Markham.

In the 85th minute, Bailey Shelley’s long ball was chased down by Cristiano Bramley only for the forward to be hauled down in the box. Earley was dismissed with Bramley converting the penalty.

It seemed the Green and White’s had won the contest three minutes into time added on.

Ryan’s free from the ‘D was tipped onto the post by Markham, But sub Etan Kelly followed up to score off the rebound.

With what was the last attack of the game, Kildare made it 3-3 in the 96th minute.

A free was floated into the home box and headed back across goal. The ball dropped to Connoly who lashed through a crowded goal month from 14-yards.

Bray Wanderers: Alex Forde; Jack Lawless, Max Free, Bailey Shelley, Evan Lynch; Luke Burke, Sean Howard; Billy Feeney, Flynn Ryan, Sean Hennelly; Cristiano Bramley.

Subs: Adeyemi Raphael Odogiyan, Daniel Oluwadara Olusola, Karl Ralph, Jamie Lynch, Etan Kelly, Jamie Dalton.

Klub Kildare: John Markham; Fionn Morris Daly, Giulio Montironi, Oisin Earley, Natan Banka; Kian Brunton; Adam Gilson, Daniel Connolly, 8Cian Reilly, Khalid Meslouhi; Alex Browne.

Subs: Chris Idah, Aidan Dupont, Jake Leonard, Rhys Jones, Carlsen Sadilua, Sam Neville, Alexander Emakhu, Jayden Parsons, Callum Reilly.

Referee: Darragh White. Assistants: Ryan Flood, Daniel Cleary.

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.

* Elsewhere in the section, leaders UCD were held to a 2-2 draw by Shamrock Rovers at Larkview FC. Bohemians defeated Wexford FC 5-0 at the Oscar Traynor Centre.

With each of the six clubs having two games remaining, UCD set the pace on 22 points. Bohs are second on 17 points. Bray are level on ten points with Wexford (ahead on goal difference). Shamrock Rovers are fifth on eight points.

* Bray are away to Shamrock Rovers at Roadstone on Sunday May 4.