U17 Match Report - Longford Town 4 Bray Wanderers 2

 

Bray suffered their first EA SPORTS MU17 League of Ireland Tier 2 North loss as they slumped to a 4-2 away defeat to Longford in sweltering conditions at Bishopsgate. 

A combination of sloppy defending, poor finishing and lacklustre play on Sunday afternoon saw the Seagulls fail to build on their impressive run of four straight wins in all competitions. 

The home side took the lead just before the half hour mark, Arseniy Sakala capitalising on Wanderers giving the ball away in their own half. 

Longford almost doubled their advantage shortly after, but away goalkeeper Jamie Dalton pulled off a fantastic save from close range. 

Wanderers did equalise five minutes before the break. A ‘Town player headed into his own net from a Bray free kick. 

However, Cillian Spollen put the home team back in front just after the hour mark, finishing at the back post. 

With the visitors then chasing an equaliser, the Midlanders netted twice in just over 60 seconds minutes. Substitutes Leon Henderson and Conor Shannon scoring in quick succession the 78th and 79th minutes. 

U15 player Kyle Jackson came off the bench for the Green and White’s, grabbing a consolation with ten minutes to go. 

He was also on the score-sheet on Saturday for the U15’s in their 3-1 away success over Sligo Rovers. 

The Wicklow club’s player pathway continued with another U15 player, centre back Ryan Higgins, make his competitive debut for the U17’s off the bench. 

He was joined amongst the substitutes by fellow U15 duo of Jamie Lynch and Lewis Brady. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jamie Dalton; Jack Lawless, Max Free, Adeyemi Raphael Odogiyan, Bailey Shelley; Albie Tormey, Luke Burke; Bradley Byrne, Flynn Ryan, Sean Howard; Sean Hennelly. 

 

Subs: Ryan Higgins, Jamie Lynch, Lewis Brady, Kyle Jackson, Alex Forde. 

 

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty. 

 

* Elsewhere in the section, Derry City and Dundalk played out a 3-3 draw at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Meanwhile, Drogheda United overcame Mayo FC 5-0 at Umbro Milebush Park. Finn Harps beat Sligo Rovers 1-0 at Finn Park. 

All the results mean, that after the first three rounds, Drogheda set the pace on nine points. Finn Harps are second on seven points; with Bray in third on six points. 

 

* Bray continued their EA SPORTS League of Ireland Tier 2 North on Sunday July 20 away to Dundalk at Oriel Park. 

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