League Report: Bray Wanderers 1 - 1 Dundalk
Credit:
Bray Wanderers and Dundalk drew 1-1 in the SSE Airtricity Premier League at the Carlisle Grounds tonight. The result means that Dundalk will have to beat Cork City in their final game of the season next Friday otherwise the title will go to Leeside after City beat Bohemians 1-0. The draw also means that Bray will play Premier League football next season.
There was a remarkable start to the game as Bray took the lead in the first minute. Jake Kelly played a left footed cross into the area. Dean Zambra turned and shot goalwards. Peter Cherrie saved but the rebound fell to David Cassidy who was there to knock it into the net against his former club.
In a game which was played in dreadful weather conditions, Dundalk had most of the play after that early setback. A number of dangerous crosses were played into the Bray penalty area but on each occasion no Dundalk player was able to get on the end of one.
Daryl Horgan burst into life in the 33rd minute. After a quick throw in he beat a couple of Bray players and struck a fine shot from outside the area but 19 year old Stephen McGuinness denied him with a fine save.
Not long after that it was it was the Dundalk goalkeeper who was providing the heroics. Michael Barker played the ball towards the edge of the Dundalk area. Jake Kelly displayed wonderful control before playing it back to Dave Scully. Scully's shot was heading for the top corner but Peter Cherrie stretched to tip it over for a corner.
Just before half time Dundalk had a couple of chances and Darren Meenan was heavily involved. First of all he set up Richie Towell who was in space in the area. However Towell could only fire his shot over the bar. Just a minute later Patrick Hoban's header put Meenan through. He would have scored but Stephen McGuinness was off his line very quickly to narrow the angle and make the save.
Then in the final minute of injury time Dave Scully headed a Dundalk free kick towards his own goal but once again McGuinness showed brilliant reflexes to make the save.
Jake Kelly was presented with an opportunity by Cherrie in the 7th minute of the second half. The Dundalk goalkeeper's clearance went straight to the Bray player 20 yards from goal but the Kelly could only kick fresh air.
Shortlay afterwards Daryl Horgan won the ball back and played it Dane Massey. Massey's cross found Patrick Hoban in the area but the Dundalk striker could only head wide.
The home side should have doubled their lead on the hour mark. After Dundalk failed to properly clear a corner, Graham Kelly picked out Dean Kelly who had a free header 8 yards out. However he could only hit the crossbar.
Bray were made to pay for that miss just three minutes later. Darren Meenan's cross picked out Patrick Hoban in the area and this time the league's top scorer made no mistake as he finished superbly on the half volley past McGuinness.
However Bray finished the game stronger and nearly went back in front in the 79th minute. Stephen O' Donnell's clearance only went as far as Graham Kelly. Kelly's shot was deflected by Andy Boyle and hit the side netting.
Then in the 87th minute Peter Cherrie, who stuggled with the conditions all night, dropped the ball. It fell to Jake Kelly whose goalbound shot was cleared off the line by Richie Towell.
After three minutes of injury time the final whistle went and the Bray players celebrated after securing their top flight status for another year. Stephen Kenny's side will have to do it the hard way next week, when they host Cork City if they are to win a 10th league title.
Bray Wanderers; Stephen McGuinness; Eric McGill, Dave Webster, Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; Owen Rossi, David Cassidy, Graham Kelly, Jake Kelly (Philip Hughes 89), Dean Zambra; Dave Scully.
Subs not used; Ryan Swan, Gavin Sheridan, Shane O' Connor, Gavin McDonagh, Robert Maloney.
Booked; Graham Kelly (18), Eric McGill (77), Adam Hanlon (53), Dave Scully (65), Philip Hughes (90+2),
Dundalk; Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon (Stephen O' Donnell 62), Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (John Mountney 46), Chris Shields (Donal McDermott 88), Richie Towell, Daryl Horgan; Patrick Hoban.
Subs not used; Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Mark Rossiter, Gabriel Sava.
Booked: None.
Referee: Dave McKeon.
Attendance: Unknown.
Extratime.ie man of the match: Stephen McGuinness (Bray Wanderers).
