Bray Wanderers 4 - 3 Drogheda United

Bray Wanderers last home game of 2008 will be one to remember all winter long. The home side edged out Drogheda United 4-3 in a highly entertaining match at the Carlisle Grounds tonight.

Bray’s first attack of the night came on 11 minutes and ended in a goal. Derek Pender played the ball to Patrick Kavanagh who played a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. Paul Skinner didn’t come for the ball and Andy Myler pounced on the goalie’s hesitance and headed the ball in.

The hosts went close in the 29th minute. An Alan Cawley corner was flicked on by Ray Kenny and Gareth Coughlan steered the ball towards goal but Skinner saved the effort. Drogs were then reduced to ten men in the 33rd minute when captain Shane Robinson was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Seven minutes later, the ten men hauled themselves back into the game through some quick-thinking by Declan O’Brien. O’Brien’s quickly took free-kick was lofted over the motionless Bray defence and the unmarked Ristila was able to slot home.

Just before the half-time break, Bray retook the lead through Colm Tresson. Cawley’s corner from the right was met on the penalty spot by Ray Kenny. Kenny’s header landed with Tresson inside the six-yard box and he steered it into the Drogheda goal.

The Seagull’s extended their lead in bizarre fashion at the start of the second half. In the 46th minute, Bray were awarded a free for a foul on Ger Rowe 25-yards from goal. Cawley stepped up to curl the free over the Drogs wall. Keeper Skinner caught the ball comfortably but the lineswoman indicated that the ball had crossed the line.

Drogheda grabbed their second of the evening through an incredible goal from Brian Shelley. In the 53rd minute, the right-back picked up the ball inside his own half and ran directly towards the Bray goal. He dodged tackles from several Wanderers players before reaching the Bray box and poking the ball past Gough to cap an amazing solo effort.

United levelled the match in the 65th minute through a remarkable strike from Richie Baker. Ristila passed the ball out to Baker from the centre of the Bray half. The ball bounced up and Baker lobbed the stranded Gough from the edge of the box.

Bray once again took the advantage in the 82nd minute. Pender picked up the ball 40-yards from goal and charged at the Drogheda defence. He played a one-two with John Mulroy on the edge of the box and then calmly side-footed the ball past Skinner for a fourth Bray goal.

Wanderers could have added a fifth in the dying moments when Alan Cawley’s long-range drive was palmed away by Skinner. Mulroy picked up the loose ball and laid it back to Dane Massey who fired the ball high over the bar.

A remarkable match ends with Bray claiming all three points and means Drogheda will finish the season behind the Seagulls. The final week of the season will see Bray travel to Sligo and Drogheda will host St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Gavin Whelan, Derek Foran (Gary Cronin 57), Ray Kenny, Derek Pender; Gareth Coughlan (Dane Massey 70), Colm Tresson, Alan Cawley, Paddy Kavanagh; Ger Rowe, Andy Myler (John Mulroy 75).
Subs not used: Chris Shields, Dean Zambra.

Booked: Rowe (87).

Drogheda United: Paul Skinner; Brian Shelley, John Tambouras, Shaun Maher, Joe Kendrick; Richie Baker, Shane Robinson, Paul Keegan, Adam Hughes (Shaun Williams 85), Sami Ristila (Guy Bates 90); Declan O’Brien (Ibrahim Thiam Iyane 85).
Subs not used: Michael Clarke, Fahrudin Kuduzovic.

Booked: Shelley (24), Robinson (29).
Sent off: Robinson (33).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,100 (estimate)

Extratime Man of the match: Alan Cawley (Bray Wanderers).