League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Cork City

On a wet and windy Saturday evening at the Carlisle Grounds, Cork City defeated ten man Bray Wanderers thanks to a late KieranDjilali goal. The win moves the Rebel Army into second in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The ten men of Bray really looked like they might hold the Leesiders to a scoreless draw. However a Djilali goal after 84 minutes sealed the victory for the visitors. Graham Kelly was controversially sent off during the first half for a tackle from behind on Billy Dennehy.

In the first half, Karl Sheppard nearly found himself on the end of numerous balls over the top. Unfortunately for Sheppard it just was not his night, despite getting a couple of shots on target. Cork created many chances in theopening forty-five, with Billy Dennehy and Liam Miller often involved in the City attacks.

Bray Wanderers only had one chance in the first half. Graham Kelly's shot was straight at McNulty from the edge of the area. Kelly was involved in the incident that changed the game minutes later. He was sent off for a tackle from behind as he tried to hook the ball away from Billy Dennehy. On another night the same tackle would have resulted in no more than a yellow card.

After they were reduced to ten men, Bray were unable to find the men to attack the visitor’s goal. At times they defended well but Cork were clearly the stronger team from the start of the game.

The second half provided plenty of chances for the Leesiders. Sheppard was deemed offside after he thought he had put his side in front. Billy Dennehy was almost always involved in the chances created by Cork City. One of Dennehy's free kicks was cleared off the line and his dead balls were well hit all night.

It took a goal mouth scramble six minutes from time to decide the game. Kieran Djilali shot home from about three yards leaving McGuinness and the Bray defence with no hope.

Bray pushed up the field for the remainder of the game trying to force an equaliser. However a counter attacking goal from the visitors looked like a more likely outcome than an equaliser. Dennehy found the net for Cork in added time but he was deemed to have been offside. He might have been booked for finishing off the move. But referee Jim McKell did not feel he had continued too long after the whistle.

Bray have been unlucky so far this season, having lost 1-0 in their three home games. This was Cork's first away win of the season and puts them back up to the top of the table. The Seagulls are still bottom of the division with five straight defeats and are yet to score a goal.

Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Michael Barker, Adam Mitchell, Hugh Douglas, Daniel O'Reilly; Peter McGlynn, Ryan McEvoy, Graham Kelly, Gareth McDonagh (Luke Gallagher 40), Adam Hanlon (Jack Memery 69); Emeka Onwubiko (Chris Lyons 59).
Subs not used: Brian Kane (gk), Peter Durrard, Niall Cooney, James O Donnell.

Bookings: Mitchell (29), O'Reilly (81), Barker(82).
Sent Off: G. Kelly (36)

Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Kavanagh, Darren Dennehy, Alan Bennett, Ross Gaynor; Dan Murray, John Dunleavy (Gavin Holohan 46), Liam Miller; Karl Sheppard (Mark O’Sullivan 60), John O Flynn (Kieran Djilali 67), Billy Dennehy.
Subs not used: Kevin O’Brien (gk), Rob Lehane, Garry Buckley, Liam Kearney.

Bookings: Holohan (72)

Referee: Jim McKell

Attendance: 350 (estimate)

Extratime Man of the Match: Billy Dennehy (Cork City).