U17 Match Report - Waterford FC 3 Bray Wanderers 2

 

Bray’s six-game unbeaten run in all U17 competitions came to an end on Sunday as they were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller. 

Despite taking the lead at the SETU Arena in the LOI Academy Tier Two (South) clash, the Seagulls lost out narrowly 3-2 joint-section leaders Waterford. 

When the teams met in the reverse fixture at Ballycorus last July, the Blue’s won 2-1. 

But on the back of two League wins on the trot, the Wicklow side went in ahead at the interval this time round. 

Defender Max Free got on the end of an Eric Schütte corner to score in the 28th minute with a glancing header. 

It was somehow the only goal off the opening 45 minutes – as both clubs had chances. 

However, Wanderers were left to rue a series of missed opportunities as the Munster outfit rallied after the break. 

The home side equalised and then took the lead with two almost identical goals. Fidel Pululu with the first in the 54th minute and then Aaron Cass with the second in the 56th minute. 

However, Cristiano Bramley then equalised with a tidy finish in the 68th minute to make it 2-2. 

The winner came with 20 minutes to go. 

Bray lost the ball in midfield, and it made its way to Adam Dobbyn who cut in off the left wing and fired an unstoppable drive in off the far upright. 

Yet, with time running out, the visitors still had opportunity to equalise. 

But were denied what looked a clear penalty with five minutes to go as the referee deemed the foul to have been outside the 18-yard box. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Alex Forde; Jack Nolan, Max Free, Luke Smith, Ryan Owens; Eric Schütte, Ronan Dawson; Kian Dowling, Flynn Ryan, Bradley Byrne; Cristiano Bramley. 

 

Subs: Conor Lougheed, Aidan Kane, Ethan Cheese, Isaac Millington, Bailey Shelley, Rocco Byrne. 

 

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty. 

 

* Elsewhere in the section, joint leaders Galway United defeated Limerick FC 8-0 at Athenry FC. Cobh Ramblers beat Kerry FC 3-0 at Mounthawk Park. All the results mean Bray remain third place in the Division. 

 

* Bray are back on the road on Sunday September 15. They will take on Kerry FC in the Semi Final of the Mark Farren Cup. Kick off at Mounthawk Park is set for 2.00pm.