REPORT: Bray Wanderers 0 - 2 UCD

UCD came away from the Carlisle Grounds with all three points tonight as they proved too much for a lacklustre Bray Wanderers side. First-half goals from Timmy Purcell and Paul Byrne secured UCD's first points of the season.

UCD took the lead with their first attack in the 6th minute. Brian King hit a corner in from the right-hand side and Wanderers keeper Chris O'Connor came off his line but failed to catch the ball. In the goal-mouth scramble that ensued, it was Purcell who got the final touch as he fired into the empty net.

On 13 minutes, UCD's Brian Shortall was booked for a tough tackle on Bray's Mark Duggan. From the resulting free-kick, Alan Cawley struck the ball just over from 25 yards.

Bray's first attempt on target came in the 17th minute when Andy Myler crossed from the goal-line and Duggan powered a header at goal which was straight at UCD keeper Matt Gregg. From a Bray corner, UCD attacked on the break with Ian Bermingham's ambitious cross-shot saved by O‘Connor. Moments later, Mark Duggan saw his vicious drive from 25 yards parried by Gregg.

Within a minute, UCD had doubled their advantage with Paul Byrne grabbing the goal. Bray had been unable to clear the bouncing ball on the edge of the area and UCD's King had knocked the ball forward for Byrne who turned Ray Kenny to lob keeper O'Connor from ten yards. The ball took it's time to drop and Byrne was on hand to tap home unchallenged from a yard out.

In the 38th minute, Bray were awarded a free-kick for offside when Timmy Purcell had a chance in the area. Keeper Chris O'Connor was incensed at the linesman and was booked for dissent. UCD were given an indirect free-kick and from it Paul Byrne saw his side-footed effort go just wide following the pass by King. But UCD had the last chance of the first half when Byrne's header was saved by O'Connor following a cross from the left by Pat McWalter in the first minute of added time.

Bray made two substitutions at half-time with Alan Cawley and Andy Myler being replaced by Paul Dunphy and John Mulroy respectively but it was UCD who came out the stronger. On 54 minutes, goalscorer Paul Byrne volleyed goalward from the edge of the area after Purcell nodded the ball down to him. O’Connor saved but he could only punch the ball onto the crossbar before he recovered and collected the ball.

UCD continued to put the pressure on Bray and a minute later Ian Bermingham’s cross from the left was deflected goalward by Bray defender Ray Kenny. O’Connor was on hand to once again stop the ball. The Students had their next chance in the 63rd minute when an Alan Mahon free-kick from the right of the box was headed over by Paul Byrne. Five minutes later, Brian King had an effort for UCD well-saved by Chris O’Connor. The College midfielder controlled Matt Gregg’s long-ball before turning and shooting from the edge of the box.

On 78 minutes, UCD had their next opportunity when Alan Mahon’s free-kick from 30 yards went just wide of O’Connor’s left-hand post. Two minutes later UCD again attacked with keeper O’Connor doing well to block Conor Kenna’s header at the near-post.

UCD deserved their victory and will now look to build on it when they travel to Finn Harps next Friday. Bray, on the other hand, will be hoping for a much better performance when they face Shamrock Rovers in a week’s time.
 

Bray Wanderers: Chris O’Connor; Derek Pender, Colm Tresson, Ray Kenny, Gary Cronin; Gary McCabe (Ronan Ivory ‘61), Mark Duggan, Alan Cawley (Paul Dunphy ‘46), Gavin Whelan; Andy Myler (John Mulroy ‘46), Ger Rowe.
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Emeka Onwubiko.

Booked: O’Connor (38), McCabe, Duggan, Tresson.
 

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon, Brian Shortall, Conor Kenna, Ian Bermingham; Ronan Finn, Alan McNally, Brian King, Patrick McWalter; Paul Byrne, Timmy Purcell.
Subs not used: Billy Brennan, Darren Forsyth, Shane Fitzgerald, Killian Gallagher, Evan McMillan.

Booked: Shortall (13), Purcell.
 

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)