Bray Wanderers 3 Dundalk 2
In a thrilling U20 EA Sports LOI game, Bray recorded their first home victory in Group by beating Dundalk 3-2 on Saturday.
After defeating Finn Harps last week, the Seagulls followed it up at Ballycorus with an injury time winner to claim all three Group A points.
When the two sides met at Oriel Park back in March, the Lilywhite’s won 2-1. But the win for Wanderers moved them above the Louth side in the table.
The first half saw little between the sides.
Bray’s best chances fell to Josh McGlone who hit his close range shot inches wide, and Stefan Ugbesia whose low effort from the edge of the area was well saved by away keeper Samuel Safaei.
Dundalk took the lead in the 24th minute following a penalty decision given by the officials for a foul in the box by the otherwise excellent Josh Kerr. Eoin Kenny converted the spot-kick.
The hosts regrouped after this initial setback and got a deserved equaliser in the 39th minute.
After great link up play with Oluwatofunmi Afolabi, Ugbesia curled a wonderful shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net.
Wanderers began the second half on the front foot and were rewarded with a second goal in the 49th minute.
Good pressing from Alan Seruga high up the pitch saw him win the ball from the away side. He then beat his marker and expertly finished to make it 2-1.
Dundalk had their own spell of momentum later in the half and equalised in the 80th minute through Dualta Honney, following a set piece that was not cleared from the home box.
There was still time for more drama.
Three minutes into time added on, the Green and White’s secured victory as Abdurahman Bouderbala got on the end of a sub Daniel Chukwu corner deep into injury time.
Bray Wanderers: Jack Ellis; Tomás Ainsworth, Abdurahman Bouderbala, Leon Ajala, Destiny Avenbuan; Ronan Dawson, Joshua Kerr; Josh McGlone, Stefan Ugbesia, Alan Seruga; Oluwatofunmi Afolabi.
Subs: Alex Nolan, Ethan Cheese, Daniel Chukwu, Scott Browne, Caleb O'Neill, Alex Forde.
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
* Elsewhere, leaders Drogheda United defeated Shelbourne 1-0 at the AUL Complex. Second placed St. Patrick’s Athletic overcame Derry City 5-3 at TU Dublin Blanchardstown.
* There are two games to go for the U20s before the mid-season break. Sat 25th away to Derry City in the Brandywell and June 1st home to Derry City in a rearranged fixture which fell foul to the weather earlier in the season.