Bohemians 0 - 1 Bray Wanderers

Shelbourne were relegated from the Airtricity Premier League after Bray Wanderers beat Bohemians 1-0 at Dalymount Park on Friday night thanks to a second half goal from Kieran Marty Waters. 

In a match that was played in a constant drizzle Bohemians created the first opening of the game in the 12th minute. Karl Moore’s low ball to the edge of the area found Ryan McEvoy whose goalbound shot was blocked by Jason Byrne.

The slippery conditions underfoot did not make it any easier for the players in a high pressure match. Both of these factors contributed to the poor standard and a lack of quality which was evident in the first half.

There was a nervous tension around the ground and chances were few and far between but Byrne was denied by a fine defensive header from Bohemians centre back Roberto Lopes midway through the opening period.

In the 37th minute the home team did briefly threaten. Derek Pender made a fine run down the right hand side and after Keith Buckley’s return pass the Bohemians captain made his way into the area. Dinny Corcoran was free in space but Darren Quigley in the Bray goal cut out the cross.

Just a minute later John Mulroy had the visitors first shot of the night but his effort was deflected straight into the arms of Dean Delaney.

The home side created the best chance of the opening 45 minutes on the stroke of half time. Darragh Reynor played it to Karl Moore on the left hand side. Moore's cross found Buckley in the area who laid it off to Dinny Corcoran about six yards out but it was a poor finish from the Bohs striker who put the ball over the top. 

After the restart the game was much more eventful and it was the Wicklow club who created the first opening of the second period. Ismahil Akinade found Kevin O’Connor who was free on the edge area. The Bray midfielder decided to try his luck but couldn’t keep his effort down.

Ryan McEvoy had the Gypsie’s first chance of the second half in the 59th minute. He received the ball about 25 yards out and typical of the Bohemians midfielder, he didn’t hesitate to shoot. It was on target but Darren Quigley dived to his left and made a spectacular save to keep the game scoreless.

Bohs came even closer to scoring in the 66th minute when Stephen Traynor made his way into the Bray area and, after getting the better of a couple of defenders, eventually tried a shot which was parried by Quigley. The rebound fell to Corcoran whose first time effort came back off the crossbar.

Bobby Browne’s team were the dominant side at that point and 17 minutes from the end of normal time they came close again. Darragh Reynor played a one-two with Dinny Corcoran. Reynor made his way into the area and looked certain to score when through on goal but Bray substitute Daire Doyle made a sensational and crucial last ditch tackle. Doyle celebrated as if he had just scored the winning goal. 

Pat Devlin’s team took the lead against the run of play in the 76th minute. Kevin O’Connor played it forward to Kieran Marty Waters who advanced on goal and shrugged off the challenge of two home defenders. He then chipped the ball around Delaney and it found its way into the net via the far post.

Waters nearly added a second after another O’Connor pass played him in down the left hand side two minutes from the end of normal time. The winger’s shot looked destined for the bottom corner but Delaney dived low to his left to push it away.

In injury time the Bohemians fans wanted a penalty after Dinny Corcoran went down in the area after a challenge from Shane O’Connor but referee Paul McLaughlin didn’t give anything. 

It was just Bray’s third win in 38 matches against Bohemians at Dalymount Park but it could yet prove to be a very crucial victory. The result means that any one of Bohemians, Bray Wanderers or UCD will finish second from bottom and thus have to face the prospect of a relegation play-off.  All that will be decided next Friday night in the final round of league fixtures for the season.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Derek Pender (c), Roberto Lopes, Neil Yadohali, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley, Darragh Reynor (Dave Scully 88), Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore (Andy Mulligan 85); Stephen Traynor (Kevin Devaney 79); Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not used: Owen Heary, Michael Barker, Daniel Byrne, Greg Murray.

Booked: Reynor (57), Pender (90).

Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; David Webster, Shane O'Connor, Danny O'Connor (c) (Daire Doyle 63), Dean Zambra; Ismahil Akinade, Kevin Maher, John Mulroy, Kevin O'Connor, Kieran Marty Waters; Jason Byrne (Gary Dempsey 75).
Subs not used: Kevin Knight, Eoin Hyland, Ryan Coombes, Niall Cooney, Shane Redmond.

Booked: None.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 1,376

Extratime.ie man of the match: Kevin O’Connor (Bray Wanderers).