U20 Match Report - Bohemians 3 Bray Wanderers 1

Posted on 22nd February 2025 at 20:53

Despite taking the lead, Bray succumbed away to Bohemians in their opening EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU20 game of the season.

The Dubliner’s then led 2-1 at the interval on Saturday afternoon at the Oscar Traynor Centre. A third score midway through the second period sealed all three Phase 1 Group A points for the hosts.

The away line-up included three debuts with another three players stepping up from the 2024 U17 panel.

Continuing the clubs policy of the player pathway, the bench contained no less than seven players from last season’s U17 squad.

Both teams started the game brightly, with away winger Destiny Avenbuan being a creative spark.

Wanderers took an 18th minute lead after some good approach link play between Max McLaughlin and Avenbuan set Ethan Cheese clear. The Irish schools international broke into the box and slotted to the net.

The Gypsies levelled matter though in the 27th minute off a corner when home captain and defender Declan Osagie scored.

Bohs took the lead just before the break. A 42nd minute ball over the top by Adetunji Olusanya caught out the the visiting backline and Hugh Smith nicked in to make it 2-1.

Bray had a chance to equalise moments later. Striker Leon Keogh broke one on one with host custodian Rian Hogan. But his touch took him away from goal.

With the fourth goal of the game always crucial, it went Dubliner’s way in the 73rd minute.

After a Bray attack down their right wing, Bohs won possession and counter-attacked. Markuss Strods raced through and squared the ball across for Smith to tap in.

Wanderers did have the opportunity to pull one back late on. But Hogan pulled off a fantastic save to thwart substitute Isaac Millington.

Bray Wanderers: Sam Baker; Luke Nolan, Caleb O'Neill, Luke Smith, Destiny Avenbuan; Jack Nolan, Joshua Kerr, Ethan Cheese; Dylan Ryan, Max McLaughlin; Leon Keogh.

Subs: Flynn Ryan, Max Free, Isaac Millington, Alain Kizenga, Sean Hennelly, Bailey Shelley, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Bradley Byrne, Alex Forde.

* Elsewhere in the section, Wexford FC overcame Shamrock Rovers by a 5-1 score-line at Ferrycarrig Park. UCD and Klub Kildare played out a scoreless draw at Larkview FC.

* Bray are scheduled to have their first home match of the season on Saturday March 1 by hosting UCD - provisionally at Ballycorus.

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.