EA Sports Cup Report: UCD 0 - 2 Bray Wanderers

Bray Wanderers booked their passage into the Second Round of the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday evening, thanks to a 2-0 victory over UCD at the UCD Bowl.

Goals in either half from Mark Salmon and Andrew Lewis proved the difference for the Premier Division side against their lower league opposition.

In a scrappy opening few minutes, UCD’s Ryan Swan had the game’s first shot, but he failed to trouble Aaron Shanahan in the visiting goal. Moments later, Jason Marks then fired wide for the Seagulls.

Less than 90 seconds later, Ryan Brennan had a great chance from close range for the visitors, however, his lovely flick was blocked at the front post. With chances being limited from both sides, Bray continued to be dangerous from set plays.

As Karl Moore’s deliveries continued to trouble the Students, Mark Salmon will feel he should have done better with 20 minutes on the clock but his headed effort sailed wide from inside the penalty area.

Moments later, Brennan was next to try his luck from a free-kick, however, his delivery went the wrong side of Conor O'Donnell’s goal after bobbling on the sandy surface.

With the home side’s chances in the opening period continuing to be limited both Kieran Marty Waters and Jason McClelland saw shots sail harmlessly wide.

On the half hour mark. Lewis forced a brilliant low save from O’Donnell and as half-time approached Swan will feel he should have done better with a headed effort from close range. The strike however, failed to trouble Shanahan from six yards after good pressure from the Bray defence.

In first-half injury time, Bray grabbed the game's opening goal when Salmon raced onto a Jason Marks pass after Maxi Kouogun slipped before the midfielder slotted home low past the onrushing O’Donnell.

Bray doubled their advantage ten minutes into the second-half after some scrappy play at the back saw Kouogun involved again, his header back towards goal saw a mix up between himself and O’Donnell allowing the lively Lewis to nip in and score from an acute angle.

After doubling their advantage, Bray began to assert their control on the game with Ger Pender and Brennan having efforts off target for the visitors. Minutes later, the host got lucky after O’Donnell failed to hold possession from a cross under pressure from Dylan Connolly, however, Lewis fired over from six yards out.

With 20 minutes remaining, Swan had UCD’s best chance. The forward forced a great save from Shanahan from an acute angle before Kieran Marty Waters fired wide at the back post when stumbling over.

UCD AFC: Conor O’Donnell (GK): Mark Langtry (Dan Tobin HT), Adam Harney, Maxi Kouogun, Sean Coyne: Daire O’Connor (George Kelly 69), Dylan Watts, Gary O’Neill, Jason McClelland: Kieran Marty Waters (Robert Manley 81), Ryan Swan.

Sub Not Used: Karl Skinner (GK), Sean Byrne, Josh Collins.

Booked: None.

Bray Wanderers: Aaron Shanahan (GK): Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Paul Finegan, Jason Marks (Curtis Murphy 69): Dylan Connolly (Sean Noble 84), Mark Salmon, Ryan Brennan, Karl Moore: Ger Pender (Dean Kelly 72), Andrew Lewis.

Subs Not Used: Peter Cherrie, Alan Byrne, Alan McNally.

Booked:  Marks (4), Finnegan (49), Kelly (88).

Referee: Michael O’Connor.

Attendance: 220 (estimate).

Extratime Man of the Match: Andrew Lewis (Bray Wanderers).

You can see Al Robinson's photos from the game here.