Friendly Report: Bray Wanderers 3 - 1 Shelbourne

In Phoenix Football Club’s home of Martin Savage Park, a new look Bray Wanderers side overcame Shelbourne early on Saturday evening.

The Seagulls took an early lead through Alan McNally before Robbie Creevy doubled their lead just after halftime. Energetic substitute James English halved the deficit for Shelbourne before Dean Kelly’s goal in final few minutes gave Wanderers a pre-season victory.

Bray started the match with quick passing in midfield and they had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute. Dylan Connolly used his skill and pace to get past Alan Kehoe and whipped a cross in towards the front post. Ger Pender got in front of his man but his flick hit the post and went out for a goalkick.

The Seagulls kept up the pressure and soon after nearly had a goal as Curtis Murphy’s corner into the box saw Jack Brady come out but miss the ball with his punch. Luckily for the goalkeeper, the ball hit Connolly in the back and was cleared for another corner.

However, the following set piece was to succeed as Murphy’s ball in was allowed bounce in the box and up rose McNally, one of the few familiar faces in the side, to head past Brady and give Bray the lead in the twelfth minute of the match.

The game became fought in midfield for most of the remainder of the half as both sides tried to build up play before attempting a shot.

The other major chance of the first half came from Shelbourne, as Conor Kenna gave away a close freekick after tripping Mark Sandford as he tried to break into the box. Gareth Coughlan stepped up to take the free and his curling shot was saved well by Evan Moran in the Bray goal.

The second half saw Shels start the brighter, with Sandford’s close header saved by Moran, after a great cross from Lorcan Shannon to the backstick, with Coughlan then putting the rebound wide.

Much to the annoyance to the Reds, Bray would score nearly straight after with Hugh Douglas crossing into the box after finding himself in acres of space. Robbie Creevy rose highest amidst a group of players and headed home to double the Wanderers’ lead.

Once again, the game became confined to midfield as defences stood firm despite good play from both teams.

Substitutions for Shelbourne turned the game more in their favor as James English was a willing runner up front for the Reds. It was his shot that deflected into the path of Robert O’Reilly on the edge of the box but the former Drogs man shot wide of the goal.

Shelbourne would get the goal they deserved soon after as in the seventy-fifth minute, a poor throw from Ryan Brennan saw the ball end up in no man’s land between the two Bray central defenders. English was the quickest to react and he took the goalkeeper out of the question before slotting home for Shelbourne

Sandford was next to show his pace as he nearly profited on substitute goalkeeper Sean Fogarty taking his time with a clearance. Sandford nicked the ball away from the keeper but his turn and shoot attempt was blocked by Fogarty before being cleared.

Brennan then made up for his earlier error as he made a marauding run at Bray’s defence after picking up on a header over the Shels defence. Once in the box, he passed across to Dean Kelly, who took one touch to set himself before sliding the ball inside the near post to give Bray Wanderers the win in Scribblestown.

Bray Wanderers: Evan Moran (Sean Fogarty 69); Sean Harding (Hugh Douglas HT), Alan McNally (Daniel Blackbyrne 62), Conor Kenna (Paul Finnegan HT), Curtis Murphy (Sean Noble 62); Karl Moore, Robbie Creevy, Mark Salmon (Alan Byrne HT), Ryan Brennan, Dylan Connolly (Gareth McDonagh HT); Ger Pender (Dean Kelly HT).

Subs not used: None

Booked: Karl Moore

Shelbourne: Jack Brady; Darragh Gannon (Adam O’Connor 70), Aidan Collins (Robert O’Reilly HT), Conor Keeley, Alan Kehoe (Dylan Kavanagh 70); Lorcan Shannon (Sodiq Oguntola 70), Cian Kavanagh (Dylan Grimes 70), Robert Duggan (Ryan Robinson 70), Gareth Coughlan (Jamie Doyle 59); Mark Sandford, Carl Walshe (Jamie English 59).

Subs not used: Greg Murray.

Booked: None