Bray Wanderers 6 St. Patrick’s Athletic 3
A sensational five-goal second half display saw Bray advance to the Quarter Finals of the LOI Academy MU20 Enda McGuill Cup.
Trailing 2-1 at the interval at a warm but blustery Carlilse Grounds on Saturday afternoon, the Seagulls rallied to claim a 6-3 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic in the last 16 of the competition.
The result was Wanderers' TENTH win in a row in all competitions (now unbeaten in 11 games) which included knocking out holders Galway United in round one of the Cup.
But it was the visitors who hit the front in the ninth minute as former Bray player Thomas Morgan headed in Matthew O'Hara’s corner.
Home goalkeeper Edvinas Jakas then made a vital one-on-one save to deny Rafel Egbulefu on 28.
Less than a minute later, the Green and White’s restored parity
After Destiny Avenbuan’s break from an away corner, Jamie Ryan linked with Philip Cooney. But saw two shots blocked. The ball rebounded to Ethan Cheese who slotted in low from ten-yards.
However, the Saints went back ahead in the 37th when Luke Chukwu latched onto a long ball over the top to score.
The second period was only 40 seconds old when Irish Schools international Cheese was fouled in the box, with Leon Keogh converting the penalty.
The match was decided by two goals and a red card in the space on 90 seconds just before the hour.
Cooney was brought down inside the 18-yard area by Adam Deans who picked up a second yellow card in the 58th minute.
Cooney then rolled in the spot-kick.
Just a minute later, Cooney intercepted. He found Keogh on the right flank to cross low for the unmarked Cooney to score from eight-yards out.
In the 80th minute, substitute Max McLaughlin weaved his way in the left wing. He picked out fellow reserve Ilya Bednakovs who evaded netminder Luke Cullen and fired past two defender on the line to make it 5-2.
The Wicklow team continued the policy of the player pathway of bringing under age up through the ranks.
U17 Players Alex Forde, Flynn Ryan and Cristiano Bramley all made the step up to the bench.
Another U17 player Jack Lawless was pivotal to sixth goal in the 87th minute. Breaking from his own half, the full-back linked with fellow sub Isaac Millington wide right to centre low for McLaughlin to tap close in to the net.
The Dubliner’s had the final act in the 90th minute with a consolation when Morgan curled in a free-kick from the ‘D.
Bray Wanderers: Edvinas Jakas; Alain Kizenga, Jack Nolan, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Luke Nolan; Joshua Kerr, Jamie Ryan; Phillip Cooney, Ethan Cheese, Destiny Avenbuan; Leon Keogh.
Subs: Flynn Ryan, Leon Creighton, Max McLaughlin, Ilya Bednakovs, Isaac Millington, Bradley Byrne, Jack Lawless, Cristiano Bramley, Alex Forde.
St. Patrick’s Athletic: Luke Cullen; Adam Deans, Adam Nolan, Ivan Graminschii, Darragh Mooney; Jamie Fitzpatrick, Matthew O'Hara; Billy Hayes, Rafel Egbulefu, Luke Chukwu; Thomas Morgan.
Subs: Kian Quigley, Ifeoluwa Samuel Ogungbe, Erik Beliauskas, David Ngesi.
Referee: Ruben Collins. Assistants: Sam Ralph, Ihor Makarenko.
* Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* Elsewhere in the competition, UCD, Shelbourne, Bohemians, Treaty United, Cobh Ramblers and Drogheda United all recorded wins to make the last eight.
Athlone Town and Sligo Rovers are due to face out in the remaining second round tie on Sunday July 6.
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