EA Sports Cup Report: Bray Wanderers 4 - 2 Bluebell United (AET)

Bray Wanderers overcame Bluebell United 4-2 following extra-time at the Carlisle Grounds on Tuesday evening in an entertaining affair.

The Wicklow side have struggled in front of goal of late, failing to score over their past three league matches. In that context, Ryan Brennan's spot kick and Ger Pender's strike making it 2-0 after just thirty-four minutes was a dream opening half & left Bluebell United with it all to do.

In an exciting first half, both teams began at a good tempo and created several good chances, the first in the third minute when Bluebell’s Dean Laurence's cross reached the unmarked Ajibjula Sule who's shot was blocked away. Again the opening few minutes from Bluebell were good putting The Seagulls under early pressure. The Bells Robert Bayly, and Ger Rowe, plus again Ajibule Sule all looking lively and having strikes goalwards.

Eventually Bray started to impose themselves into this match when Alan McNally sent a long ball down the right finding Dylan Connolly, but Connolly's final ball couldn't find an onrushing Ger Pender and Bluebell defender Dean Laurence put the ball out for a corner.

From the ensuing corner referee Michael O'Connor and his linesman spotted an infringement in the box, and to the dismay of the Bluebell United players a penalty was awarded. Ryan Brennan stepped up and drove the ball home sending ex-Bray Wanderers keeper Andy McNulty the wrong way.

The Seagulls doubled their lead less than ten minutes later. A neat passing move that started with Hugh Douglas down the left found Moore who then passed to Ger Pender and he made no mistake from six yards.

For the rest of the half it was damage limitation for the Red Cow outfit. But the visitors were given a lifeline. Just five minutes before the break. The Bell marched forward; shots from Sule and Keith Quinn were charged down from the Bray defence, a breaking ball fell to an oncoming Sean Byrne and he rifled the ball past Peter Cherrie making it 2-1 at half time.

The interval provided refuge and Bluebell emerged for the second period improved, halving the deficit before the break gave them purpose. The visitors key man Sean Byrne was again the goal scorer on sixty nine minutes, and now the comeback was complete. It was a performance of true grit from the Leinster Senior League side after being two goals down against tough Premier Division opposition.

Both teams struggled to create openings for the remainder of the half as the contest stayed at 2-2 to force the extra-time period.

In the first half of extra-time Bray got a goal to lead the game for the third time. After some neat passing on the edge of the box, Karl Moore and Dylan Connolly both had chances cleared before the ball found Andrew Lewis and with space opening up in front of him he shot from outside the box bending his effort into the top right corner of the goal.

During the second period of extra-time it was again Bray who had confidence going forward. While Bluebell were pushing for the equaliser, Karl Moore pumped a hit and hope ball into the Bluebell penalty area, there, Gareth McDonagh and Dylan Connolly combined to force Bluebell’s Dean Laurence to commit a foul and another penalty was awarded to the hosts.

Laurence was then sent-off for dissent and when Dylan Connolly made it four it was perhaps too much for ten-man Bluebell to come back.

Overall Bray Wanderers can count themselves a bit lucky to have made it through to the Quarter Finals after coming under considerable pressure from Bluebell for large parts of the contest.

However, the Wicklow unit weathered the storm from their non-league opponents and slowly gained a foothold in the additional thirty.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally , Curtis Murphy (Jason Marks 75) , Ryan Brennan , Robbie Creevy (Darragh Noone 86), Dylan Connolly, Conor Kenna, Karl Moore; Ger Pender (Gareth McDonagh), Andrew Lewis.

Subs Not used: Aaron Shannaghan, Shane Barnes, Sean Harding , Sean Noble

Booked: None

Bluebell United FC:  Andy McNulty; Sean Gleeson (Tony Keeler 100), Karl Russell, Dean Laurence, Gilmar Mandiangu, Keith Quinn, Sean Byrne , Robert Bayley (Peter Sherlock 105), Tony Griffith,  Ger Rowe, Ajibula Sule (Toyeeb Mustapha 111)

Subs Not Used: Jordan Keegan, Barry Slattery, Peter Sherlock, Glen Keddy, Shane Stritch, Graham Zambra, Toyeeb Mustapha Peter Darcy,

Booked: Ger Rowe (58)

Sent Off: Dean Laurence (116)

Referee: Michael O'Connor

Attendance: 200 (estimate)

Extratime Man of the Match: Sean Byrne (Bluebell United)

You can view Al Robinson's pictures from the game here.