U20 Match Report - Cobh Ramblers 1 Bray Wanderers 5

 

Stefan Ugbesia’s stunning hat-trick helped Bray secure their first U20 LOI Academy MU20 Tier Two (South) win. 

Three second half goals saw the Seasiders secure the points at St. Colman's Park on Saturday afternoon after leading 2-1 at the interval. 

It was a fine response to last week’s disappointing 2-0 home loss to Kerry FC in their opening fixture in the competition at Ballycorus. 

But the away side had to be thankful to goalkeeper Jack Ellis in the 28th minute for a superb flying save to keep out David Eguaibor’s header off a corner. 

The Wicklow club then struck twice in four minutes to go 2-0 ahead. 

First, in the 36th minute, Daniel Chukwu’s sent a pass down the right sideline for overlapping Josh Kerr to reach. His cross into home box was met by the head of Ugbesia to find the net. 

Then in the 39th minute, Leon Ajala found Chukwu just outside the Ramblers penalty box. The winger then unleased a stunning 22-yard shot that dipped just under the crossbar. 

But in first half stoppage time, the Cork team pulled one back after a breakaway resulted in a close range effort from Eguaibor finding the net. 

Bray hit the ground running after the resumption and were rewarded in the 48th minute. 

Rhys Knight chipped a pass over the home defence for Ugbesia to run onto and lob the ball over the advancing netminder Senan Dorgan to make it 3-1. 

The visitors had brought on sub custodian Edvinas Jakas for Ellis at the break., He then made a number of crucial saves to prevent the hosts getting back into the tie. 

The points were effectively wrapped up in the 74th minute. 

A one-two on the edge of the Cobh area between Knight and Phil Cooney resulted Cooney slotting the ball in with a neat finish. 

Ugbesia then completed his hat trick in the 89th minute with a spectacular scissors kick from 12-yards out. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jack Ellis; Joshua Kerr, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Caleb O'Neill, Destiny Avenbuan; Alain Kizenga, Leon Ajala; Daniel Chukwu, Rhys Knight, Phillip Cooney; Stefan Ugbesia. 

 

Subs: Jack Nolan, Tomás Ainsworth, Dylan Ryan, Edvinas Jakas GK 

 

* Elsewhere in the section, Shelbourne maintained their winning start by beating Treaty United 6-3 at the AUL Complex. Klub Kildare defeated Kerry FC 1-0 at Mounthawk Park. 

 

* Bray’s next outing is scheduled for Saturday August 10 when they will play host to Treaty United at Ballycorus.