League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Limerick

Limerick secured a second win of the season on Saturday evening as Paul O’Conor’s first-half stunner from 25 yards succumbed Bray Wanderers to their third defeat of the season, leaving Harry Kenny’s side mid-table following a promising start.

The Blues edged their second win of the new season, following their ecstatic opening-weekend 5-1 victory against struggling Sligo Rovers, with a more industrial performance at the Carlisle Grounds, with O’Conor’s inspired strike earning Martin Russell’s side a deserved three points.

Bray had previously won both of their home games this season and will be majorly disappointed with a third defeat in six games of a season which began with such promise following wins against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps.

Their mental resolve will be under scrutiny following a dismal display to throw away a two goal lead against Bohemians a fortnight ago before a 3-2 defeat away to Sligo Rovers last weekend.

Their recent woes were added to just six minutes into this game when Limerick midfielder O’Conor latched onto a Rodrigo Tosi backheel following a Tommy Robson cross into the box.

Tosi back-heeled the ball towards the edge of the box where midfielder O’Connor sent a stunning long-range effort rocketing into the bottom right corner, with goalkeeper Peter Cherrie statuesque as he watched the ball float into the back of the net.

Bray failed to provide any real response inside the opening half. The chemistry which saw the trio of Gary McCabe, Dylan Connolly and Anto Flood score 10 goals inside their opening five games was absent against a rigid and well-oiled Limerick defensive unit led admirably by Shaun Kelly and Robbie Williams.

Williams crashed an excellent free-kick off the top of the crossbar after half an hour, as Limerick tried to build their early goal into a cushioned lead against a lacklustre Bray.

Connolly and Flood alike offered occasional snapshots from distance but did not carve out any chances of significance inside an opening 45 minutes as Harry Kenny’s side failed to live up to their early-season expectation to push for a European position this season.

The hype around 21-year-old Connolly, combined with the winger’s early season form, has promised a breakout season for the Bray forward in 2017. He endured a tough night as Limerick fullback Shaun Kelly provided an outstanding and disciplined display which limited Connolly to few chances.

Harry Kenny’s side pushed for an equalizer in the second half but even the introduction of Ryan Brennan and forward Jamie Aherne could not wear away the resolve of Martin Russell’s side, who knew three points were up for grabs if they held their nerve.

The closest chance of the final exchanges came from second half substitute Brennan, who dipped a free-kick just under Brendan Clarke’s crossbar without any real threat.

Bray remained as abject as their performance throughout the game, as Limerick tightened their hold on a crucial three points.

The Seagulls offered no attacking ingenuity as Russell’s side appeared more and more confident of their battle-hardened resolve to see the game out in command and on top.

A late Jamie Aherne shot threatened to draw the sides level on 90 minutes, but goalkeeper Clarke stood strong to gather and confirm the victory.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Tim Clancy, Conor Earley (Alan Kehoe 75); John Sullivan, Mark Salmon, Gary McCabe; Aaron Greene, Dylan Connolly, Anthony Flood.

Subs not used: Lee Steacy (gk), Derek Foran, Keith Buckley, Jason Marks.

Booked: Hugh Douglas (63).

Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams (David O’Connor 66), Tony Whitehead, Lee J. Lynch (Bastien Hery 83), Shane Duggan, Paul O’Connor, Ian Turner, Tommy Robson; Chiedozie Ogbene (Stephen Kenny 60), Rodrigo Tosi.

Subs not used: Freddy Hall (gk), Chris Mulhall, Tobins Kainz, John O’Flynn.

Booked: Robbie Williams (43), Stephen Kenny (90+3).

Referee: Ray Matthews.

Attendance: 649.

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Shaun Kelly (Limerick).