Bray Wanderers 3 Dundalk 0
Two goals in three second half minutes by super-sub Leon Keogh saw Bray get back to EA SPORTS MU20 League of Ireland Tier 2 North winning ways.
Having lost the reverse fixture 5-1 at Oriel back in July against Dundalk, the Seagulls turned the tables to record a hard-earned 3-0 success at a rain drenched Carlisle Grounds on Saturday afternoon.
After the Lilywhite’s missed an early penalty, Philip Cooney gave Wanderers a 1-0 half time cushion.
But it was the impressive display by goalkeeper Edvinas Jakas whose string of fine saves ensued the hosts clean sheet.
The Louth visitors had the opportunity to go ahead when they were awarded a disputed penalty. Liam O’Leary appeared to be fouled outside the box in the sixth minute. But referee Eoin Fagan pointed to the spot.
However, Aaron Donnelly fired the 12-yard dead ball over the bar.
Three minutes after at the other end, Cooney was unable to get the vital touch form Ethan Cheese’ low centre across the face of goal.
Jakas then brilliantly thwarted O’Leary on 23 before denying Sean Spaight three minute lates.
Seconds later, Cristiano Bramley rounded former Seasider custodian Samuel Safaei but found the side-netting from a tight angle.
But the deadlock was broken in the Green and White’s favour in the 28th minute.
Irish Schools international Cheese delivered a low cross from the right by-line, with the unmarked Cooney left with a simple back post tap in.
Jakas thwarted Spaight again in the 66th minute before Safaei bravely blocked Cheese close-in six minutes later.
Substitute Keogh then took centre stage.
He drilled in a low 20-yard free in the 77th minute that Safaei got a hand to its way to the net.
Then in the 79th minute, Cooney linked with Bramley off a short corner on the right wing. Cooney’s cross went deep with defender Jack Nolan heading down. Keogh gathered and swivelled to strike in low from ten-yards.
Bray Wanderers: Edvinas Jakas; Jack Lawless, Jack Nolan, Caleb O'Neill, Destiny Avenbuan; Joshua Kerr, Jamie Ryan; Ethan Cheese, Flynn Ryan, Phillip Cooney; Cristiano Bramley.
Subs: Isaac Millington, Darragh Butler, Max Mc Laughlin, Leon Creighton, Leon Keogh, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Dylan Ryan, Sam Baker.
Dundalk: Samuel Safaei; Rhys O'Hare, Tom Mc Loughlin, Calum Woods, Sean Spaight; Cian Spaight, Fionn McNamara; Conall Alfred, Aidan Russell, Liam O'Leary; Aaron Donnelly.
Subs: Cillian Kavanagh, Nathan Keenan, Davin O'Connor, Shaun Platt, Leon Laban.
Referee: Eoin Fagan. Assistants: Ryan Flood, Cillian O'Reilly
* Elsewhere in the section, leaders Drogheda United beat Derry City 4-1 at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education. The results leave Drogheda top of the table on 19 points from six games. Dundalk, Finn Harps and Bray are all third on 13 points.
* Bray are scheduled to travel to Donegal on Saturday September 6 next to take on Finn Harps at Letterkenny Community Centre.
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