League Report: Bray Wanderers 4 - 1 Cork City

Bray Wanderers triumphed 4-1 over Cork City in the Seasiders’ last game of the current season at the Carlisle grounds. A goal each from Jason Marks, Dylan Connolly, John Sullivan and Ger Pender secured the win while Cork got a consolation goal thru Karl Sheppard.

Both teams began the match pretty even. The first chance was on eight minutes when Cork City’s Gearoid Morrissey was put through in the box, but he put the ball high and over the Bray cross-bar.

Moments later Bray midfielder Mark Salmon lost the ball in the middle of the park; it was picked up by Gavan Holohan for the Leesiders and he passed it to Karl Sheppard whoose  shot took a wicked deflection off Wanderers captain Conor Kenna and luckily flashed wide. The resulting corner didn't trouble the Bray defence.

After 22 minutes Bray Wanderers got their first real chance; midfielder John Sullivan picked out Dean Kelly and he neatly passed to Dylan Connolly who raced clear of the Cork defence, but just ran out of pitch and it went out for a goal kick.

Wanderers, looking to extend an unbeaten run at home stretching back ten games to May , started to look more lively and against the run of play took the lead.

Kevin Lynch picked up the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch, and despite being under pressure from a Cork defender he crossed a hit and hope ball along the surface and an unmarked Jason Marks connected with his left foot and it flew into the top corner. Advantage Bray.

Only minutes later Bray doubled their advantage. The Cork midfield were caught flat-footed and when the ball was lobbed over the top to a lighting fast Dylan Connolly he just lobbed an advancing Mark McNulty and the ball dribbled in to the Cork net.

This was Connolly's fifth of the season and a goal of genuine class that might just add a few pounds to his transfer fee, especially if scouts were watching.

Harry Kenny's men threatened to run riot and looked dangerous whenever they came close to the Cork penalty area. Further chances for Bray were squandered and Cork City were lucky to go into the break just two goals down.

There were no changes from either team at the interval. It was understandably Cork that came out all cylinders flying. Five minutes after the restart, City substitute Danny Morrissey picked up a ball just inside the penalty box, however his snap shot was well parried by the Scotsman Peter Cherrie in the Wanderers goal

The following 15 minutes saw no real chances and it was as if both teams had hit a wall.

Despite Cork manager John Caulfield bringing on Cian Coleman and Ian Turner the impetus was not there.

Further misery was on the cards for the Leesiders when Karl Moore played a neat ball to Jason Marks who put in a superb right cross to the on rushing Seagulls midfielder John Sullivan and he drove the ball home. Three nil and it looked game over.

Just a minute later Cork City pulled one back from the restart, as Karl Sheppard broke free and slipped the ball underneath Cherrie for a consolation goal for the visitors.

Bray were not finished and there was time for a fourth, as Ger Pender did exceptionally well  to score with just two minutes remaining. Inside the penalty area, he made room for a curled effort that flew into the top right-hand corner.

Unlike in other games this season Cork City looked shaky at the back. The Leesiders have the FAI cup final to look forward while Bray finishing the season in 6th position have €19,500 worth of prize money to collect.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Seán Harding, Conor Kenna (c), Tim Clancy (Alan Mcnally 76); Kevin Lynch; John Sullivan; Jason Marks (Darragh Noone 84); Karl Moore; Mark Salmon; Dylan Connolly; Dean Kelly (Gerard Pender 66).

Subs not used: Lee Stacey (gk); Chris Lyons, Gareth McDonagh, Paul Finnegan

Booked: Mark Salmon (29), Tim Clancy (49).

Sent Off: None.

Cork City :  Mark McNulty, John Kavanagh, Colin Healy ,Gavan Holohan, Dave Mulcahy,Gearóid Morrissey (Cian Coleman 60) , Michael McSweeney, Karl Sheppard, Chiedozie Ogbene, Kenny Browne (Ian Turner 76), Mark O'Sullivan (Danny Morrissey 19).

Subs not used:  Greg Bolger, Steven Beattie, Matthew Connor (gk), Seán Maguire

Booked: Mark O Sullivan (6).

Sent Off: None.

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

Attendance: 1247.

ExtraTime.ie Man Of The Match: John Sullivan.