U20 Match Report - Derry City 5 Bray Wanderers 3

Derry City 5 Bray Wanderers 3 

 

Bray’s two game winning streak in the EA SPORTS U20 LOI Group A came to an end on Saturday at they lost out to Derry in an eight-goal thriller. 

Two goals just before half time helped City to a 5-3 victory at the Shared Village. 

But the bright spot for the Seagulls was that U17 captain Rhys Knight marked his debut at this level with two goals. 

The Candystripes started well and took a fourth minute lead. 

A free kick which was worked wide led to a dangerous cross and converted by Sean Patton. 

However, Wanderers rallied well and responded by equalising in the eighth minute. 

A well worked move saw Knight slide a pass to Alan Seruga, who then beat his marker and scored from inside the box. 

The game continued in an end to end fashion as Derry regained the advantage in the 13th minute. 

Another decent cross from the left led to a composed finish by Jamie Harris. 

The game settled down after that to an even contest. 

But then with a minute to go to half time, the home side scored twice in quick succession to take control. 

Patton made it 3-1 from a successful counter attack off a Wanderers corner. 

Then in stoppage time, the hosts won a penalty with Patton completing his hat-trick. 

The visitors began the second period brightly and scored in the 51st minute to give them a glimmer of hope. Knight was on the score sheet following a brilliant assist from Tofunmi Afolabi. 

More sustained pressure by the Green and White’s saw Knight double his tally with a superb header in the 62nd minute. 

As Bray continued to push for an equaliser, they were caught with a brilliant counter attack in the 70th minute as Patton registered his fourth score to make it 5-3. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jack Ellis; Tomás Ainsworth, Ronan Dawson, Caleb O'Neill, Destiny Avenbuan; Alain Kizenga, Samuel Collins; Alan Seruga, Rhys Knight, Daniel Chukwu; Oluwatofunmi Afolabi. 

 

Subs: Abdurahman Bouderbala, Stefan Ugbesia, Leon Ajala, Scott Browne, Alex Forde. 

 

* Bray and Derry renew acquaintances on Saturday June 1 next at Ballycorus. 

 

* Elsewhere in the section, leaders Drogheda United drew 3-3 with St. Patrick’s Athletic at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Dundalk defeated Finn Harps 5-2 at Oriel Park.