Bray Wanderers 3 Drogheda United 4
Bray suffered their first home loss in the EA SPORTS MU20 League of Ireland Tier 2 North section by coming out of the wrong side of seven goal thriller to Drogheda.
Having twice taken the lead in the opening period, Wanderers trailed 3-2 at the break on Tuesday evening at the Carlisle Grounds.
United were reduced to ten players midway through the second half.
But they went 4-2 ahead late on before Cristiano Bramley capped his first start at this level with a late penalty.
The Green and White’s got off the perfect start and hit the front after just 43 seconds.
On his full U20 debut, Bramley was released down the right flank. In the box, his shot was blocked.
But recovered to tee up Philip Cooney whose low 15-yard drive went in off a covering defender on the line.
The Louth team restored parity in the 11th minute when Sean McGrath was fouled in the area. Richard Nwosu converted the spot-kick.
The Wicklow outfit regained the lead in the 21st minute.
Cooney broke from the left in field and sprayed the ball wide right to set Isaac Millington free. His shot was partially saved by Theo Hennessy but went in off the left post.
Drogheda equalised for a second time in the 26th minute when Ryan Graham made the most of a home defensive mix-up.
Then just off the half hour mark, United went ahead. Luke Poval powered in a back post header off Stephen Brady’s corner.
Away skipper Evan Haddock headed against the bar off another corner three minutes after the interval.
But Haddock was dismissed on the hour when bringing Bramley down in the ‘D.
From the resulting free-kick, Cooney curled wide.
United made it 4-2 in the 82nd minute. Calum Donnelly evaded a challenge wide right. He them crossed with fellow reserve Cameron Feehan volleying in from close range.
Wanderers were awarded a penalty of their own 90 seconds later.
Referee Eoin Fagan pointed to the spot after Destiny Avenbuan’s run into the 18-yard area. Bramley made no mistake from 12-yards.
Bray Wanderers: Sam Baker; Conor Lougheed, Caleb O'Neill, Luke Smith, Destiny Avenbuan; Jack Nolan, Joshua Kerr; Isaac Millington, Ethan Cheese, Phillip Cooney; Cristiano Bramley.
Subs: Luke Nolan, Max Mc Laughlin, Darragh Butler, Ilya Bednakovs, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Bradley Byrne, Dylan Ryan, Alex Forde.
Drogheda United: Theo Hennessy; Ryan Graham, Luke Povall, Evan Haddock, Ultan McLaughlin; Stephen Brady, Tadhg O'Brien; Samuel Case, Harry O'Connor, Sean McGrath; Richard Nwosu.
Subs: Cian Cleary, Sean McCarthy, Matthew McCloskey, Cameron Feehan, Ethan Maher, Andrew Olajide, Calum Donnelly, Brandon Gough-Smith.
Referee: Eoin Fagan. Assistants: Jason Ray, Ryan Flood.
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* The result means Drogheda joint Dundalk and Finn Harps at the top of the table on ten points. Bray are fourth on six points.
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