League Report: Bohemians 0 - 0 Bray Wanderers

 

Despite a number of chances falling to forward Ismahil Akinade, Bohs failed to capitalise on their heavy pressure throughout the game as Peter Cherrie in the Bray goal emerged the hero with a number of fine saves. 

 

Bohs were unbeaten in six games coming into this one and they were certainly looking to continue their momentum from the start here. It took only three minutes for Bohs to threathen as Akinade was slipped through by Kurtis Byrne, but the Nigerian-born striker saw his shot smothered by Cherrie while Tim Clancy cleared. 

 

Akinade was looking the most dangerous prospect for Bohs as they continued their strong start. A defensive error put the 22 year old through after ten minutes as Cherrie seemed to come out too early. Akinade just needed to slot into either corner but could only find the side-netting. 

 

It seemed a matter of time before Bohs were to take the lead as the set-pieces were coming thick and fast. Akinade came close again seven minutes later when Byrne drilled in a corner at pace and the former Bray striker was left in acres of space, but his header was magnificently saved by Cherrie as he diverted the ball away from the top corner. 

 

Bray really started the game slowly and Byrne nearly made them pay when he slid in the Bray box to rob the hesitant John Sullivan. He fed Paddy Kavanagh on the right of the box but his weak effort was saved easily by Cherrie after 19 minutes.

 

Akinade was involved again as he turned provider for Lopes with a neat lay-off at the edge of the Bray box on 26 minutes, but  Lopes could only manage a shot straight at Cherrie.  

 

After a string of missed chances from the home side, Bray managed to come into the game more. Dylan Connolly looked dangerous down the left and forced a booking for Derek Prendergast as he was taken down at the edge of the box, but Ryan Brennan’s free-kick was curled too long. 

 

Bray’s best chance came after 39 minutes when Connolly floated in a beautiful cross for Andrew Lewis, but the Bray striker headed just over as Dean Delaney stretched. 

 

Kavanagh had one more chance before the half-time whistle when the ball fell nicely for him 23 yards out, but his half-volley was straight at Cherrie. Bohs went into the interval disappointed not to have taken the lead. 

 

Much like the first-half, it was Bohs on top from the restart when Derek Pender put Akinade in down the right side of the box but his effort flew high and wide of Cherrie’s goal. 

 

It was trouble down the right again two minutes later as Kavanagh nearly broke free except for the intervention of Cherrie, but the ball fell to Eoin Wearen who’s shot from inside the box went just wide of the top corner. 

 

However, it wasn’t until the 69th minute until we saw another decent chance for either side as the game was broken up by persistent fouling and subsitutions for both sides. Wearen swung in a brilliant free-kick from the left as Dan Byrne rose highest and headed just over Cherrie’s goal. 

 

Bohs continued to push, especially with substitute Ayman Ben Mohamed looking dangerous, but it was Bray who nearly struck first through Brennan with just under 15 minutes to go. The winger went on a marvelous run but saw his well hit effort from the edge of the box fly just wide of Delany’s goal. 

 

It was Akinade, however, who had a massive opportunity for Bohs after 83 minutes when Mark Quigley slipped him through one on one with Cherrie – but once again, the Gypsies frontman was denied by the Seagulls goalkeeper who tipped his effort around the post. 

 

Quigley was provider again two minutes later as his header put Ben Mohamed through on goal down the left, but once again Cherrie came to Bray’s rescue. Bohs were piling on the pressure but couldn’t find the breakthrough with full-time fast approaching. 

 

The referee indicated five minutes to be added, but despite the heavy pressure from Bohs, they failed to make their chances count as they were left frustrated by a wonderful performance from Peter Cherrie in the Bray goal. 

 

 

Bohemians: Dean Delaney, Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Derek Prendergast, Dan Byrne, Eoin Wearen (Mark Quigley 72), Keith Buckley, Kurtis Byrne, Paddy Kavanagh (Ayman Ben Mohamed 65), Dylan Hayes, Ismahil Akinade.

Subs Not Used: Shane Supple, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Stephen Best, Dave Mulcahy, James Kavanagh.

Booked: D Prendergast (28),  D Byrne (81).

 

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie, Hugh Douglas, John Sullivan, Ryan Brennan, Karl Moore, Dylan Connolly, Ger Pender (Mark Salmon 45), Andrew Lewis (Darragh Noone 90), Tim Clancy, Gareth McDonagh, Sean Harding (Kevin Lynch 58).

Subs Not Used: Sean Fogarty, Alan McNally, Daniel Blackbyrne, Sean Noble.

Booked: T Clancy (69), J Sullivan (80), P Cherrie (88), D Connolly (90).

 

 

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendence: 1,205.

Extratime Man of the Match: Peter Cherrie (Bray Wanderers).