League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 2 Bohemians
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Bohemians earned a 2-0 victory over Bray Wanderers in an entertaining clash at a rain soaked Carlisle Grounds on Saturday night. Goals from Daniel Byrne and Ayman Ben Mohamed moved Bohs to seventh position just behind Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic on goal difference.
Heavy hailstones before kick-off made for a slick pitch and both sides attempted to play neat passing football. From kick-off, Bray had a good chance to open the scoring. Former Bohs player Karl Moore crossed from the left for Andrew Lewis, who headed the ball just wide and right despite being unmarked.
In the third minute Bray had another decent opportunity. Moore played Dean Kelly clean through on goal with a nice low pass, but the linesman correctly raised his flag for offside after Kelly dragged the ball wide and left of Dean Delany’s goal.
Bohemians began to grow into the game and what followed was a free flowing game with both sides gaining and losing possession regularly. Lorcan Fitzgerald’s free kick for Bohs from 35 yards out was deflected out for a corner.
Ismahil Akinade was a nuisance when leading the line for the Gypsies. He drew numerous fouls and made darting runs behind the Bray defence on occasion but was let down by his poor touch.
Just before the midpoint of the opening half, Bray went close again. Dylan Connolly played a one-two with Kelly, the former Ipswich Town man then drove the ball low towards Moore who was only inches away from capitalizing.
Soon after Bray had a penalty claim. Lewis was brought down inside the box, and despite rapturous pleas from the home faithful, referee Derek Tomney waved play on.
Bray soon rued their missed opportunities on the half hour mark when Daniel Byrne glanced home a Fitzgerald corner with a superb diving header to the top left corner of Peter Cherrie’s goal.
The Seagulls lost Robbie Creevy to injury three minutes later and was replaced by Alan Byrne. The first half fizzled out with little goal mouth action with the Gypsies deserving of their 1-0 halftime lead.
The second half began much in the same vein as the first, quick passing football was played. Bray maintained some early pressure to little avail.
On the 62th minute the referee found himself the causer of a little controversy. Cherrie was lucky to stay on the pitch after taking out Ayman Ben Mohamed just outside the box, Mohamed looked certain to score and Cherrie was the last man. However the referee showed the Scottish ‘keeper just a yellow card. The resulting free kick from Fitzgerald resulted in nothing.
Bohs put the game to bed on the 69th minute after a poor error from Cherrie who fumbled the ball into the path of Mohamed, after another Fitzgerald set piece, who calmly slotted home from 6 yards.
Both sides had some half chances before Bohs had a big shout for a penalty. While Bohs appealed for a penalty, instead the referee gave a free kick just outside the box. Fitzgerald stood up again but struck the ball high and wide.
The Gypsies frustrated Bray by going to the corner and running down the clock witht the game finishing with a 2-0 victory for the visitors. It was a fair result due to Bray’s lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
The result sees Bray continue their disappointing start to the season. They now lie 11th ahead of bottom placed Longford Town on goal difference. Bohemians are have moved up to seventh and face into a home fixture against rivals Shamrock Rovers next Friday.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Alan McNally, Sean Harding; Dylan Connolly, Ryan Brennan, Robbie Creevy (Alan Byrne 33), Karl Moore (Jason Marks 69); Dean Kelly (Ger Pender 64), Andrew Lewis.
Subs Not Used: Aaron Shanhan; Gareth McDonagh, Paul Finnegan; Sean Noble.
Booked: Alan Byrne (37), Peter Cherrie (62), Conor Kenna (87).
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Derek Prendergast, Daniel Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Roberto Lopes; Paddy Kavanagh, Eoin Wearen, Keith Buckley (Kurtis Byrne 80), Ayman Ben Mohamed (Jake Kelly 85); Ismahil Akinade (Adam Evans 90+2).
Booked: Ayman Ben Mohamed (26), Paddy Kavanagh (87).
Subs Not Used: Lee Steacy; Anto Murphy, Dylan Hayes, James Kavanagh.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
Attendance: 600 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ayman Ben Mohamed (Bohemians).
