Finn Harps 1 Bray Wanderers 2
In a remarkable game of football, Bray made it two EA SPORTS U20 League of Ireland Tier 2 North wins in a row as they edged out Finn Harps.
Philip Cooney converted an 87th minute penalty to seal a come from behind victory at Letterkenny Community Centre on Saturday.
But the Wicklow outfit need a superb penalty save by goalkeeper Edvinas Jakas to deny their Donegal opponents who’d earlier also missed a spot-kick.
When the teams met last month at the Carlisle Grounds, the Green and White’s won 2-0.
This time round, the home side started in full gusto.
They were awarded an eighth minute penalty. Conor Gibson hit a thunderous strike, but the ball hit the underside of the cross bar and back into play which Wanderers cleared.
But the hosts continued to press. And they took the lead through Gibson in the 23rd minute.
The Green and White’s settled, and were back on level terms in the 42nd minute.
After some neat play between Ethan Cheese and Jamie Ryan, Cooney squared the ball from the left low for Leon Keogh to score from close range.
In a tight second half, the visitors were caught on the counter attack in the 73rd minute. Seasiders’ captain for the day Caleb O’Neill was deemed to have fouled Max Johnston in the box.
Johnston took the 12-yard dead ball, but Jakas pulled off a wonderful save.
Bray pushed for a winner late on.
With four minutes of normal time remaining, Irish schools international Cheese played a through ball to Cristiano Bramley who turned and was up ended in the box. Cooney stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into left hand corner of the net.
Bray Wanderers: Edvinas Jakas; Jack Lawless, Caleb O'Neill, Darragh Butler, Destiny Avenbuan; Jamie Ryan, Ethan Cheese; Cristiano Bramley, Flynn Ryan, Phillip Cooney; Leon Keogh.
Subs: Isaac Millington, Max McLaughlin, Dylan Ryan, Sam Baker.
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* Elsewhere in the section, Athlone Town defeated Derry City 3-1 at TUS Midlands. Drogheda United overcame Dundalk 1-0 at Oriel Park.
The results mean Drogheda set the pace on 22 points from eight games. Bray are now second on 16 points from nine figures.
Dundalk (nine matches) and Finn Harps |(eight games) are on 13 points.
* Bray are away to Drogheda United on Saturday September 13 at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education.
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