League Report: Bray Wanderers 1 - 0 Galway United

There are a lot of positive vibes surrounding Bray Wanderers at present and they maintained their upward momentum on Friday night, courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Galway United,

A seventh league goal of the season for Gary McCabe was enough to give Wanderers all three points, a result which moves Harry Kenny’s men up to third place in the table.

In the process, Bray kept their first clean sheet in the top flight for eight months.

The attacking talents at the disposal of Wanderers are a huge asset in their armoury and if the likes of Dylan Connolly, Aaron Greene and McCabe continue to deliver, they will have the potential to cause trouble for any side.

Bray went with the same starting eleven that won 3-2 against Derry City in Buncrana the previous week against.

As for Galway, Shane Keegan made two changes from the side that drew with Sligo on Monday, with Alex Byrne and Conor Melody coming into the starting team.

The hosts went close in the opening minutes, when McCabe teed the ball up for Connolly just inside the box, but the highly rated player, who was central to much of Bray’s attacking play  saw his shot on the half-volley saved by Conor Winn in the Galway goal.

Galway came into the contest as the only side still looking for a win this season and began this one with intent.

They had chances from Ronan Murray and Paul Sinnott early on, but failed to properly test Bray netminder Cherrie.

The home side had appeals for a spot kick turned down when, after a dangerous run into the box, Gary McCabe felt he was taken down by Galway’s Colm Horgan as he was about to shoot.

Referee John McLoughlin was not convinced, however, that there was enough contact to award it.

Bray had another effort on goal in the 30^th minute, as Mark Salmon’s driving effort would go wide, after some neat play down the wing which resulted in Connolly setting him up.

Wanderers would take the lead just minutes later, as Greene got the touch on it in the box to put the ball into the path of McCabe, who would stab the ball home at the second time of asking , after his initial effort was saved.

Galway did have a shout for a penalty before half time, as Hugh Douglas appeared to pull the jersey of Conor Melody, but again McLaughlin was unmoved.

The visitors had a good chance to level things just moments after the break, as Marc Ludden’s low effort was blocked down brilliantly by Tim Clancy.

Almost immediately, from the resulting corner, Bray would go up other end courtesy of a good run from Greene. He crossed for Connolly who, after a heavy touch, saw his attempt saved by Winn.

On the hour mark, the home side were reduced to ten men, as Conor Kenna was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Horgan. Although this provided with Galway with the opportunity to push on for an equalizer, it was Bray who had an excellent chance to double their advantage shortly after.

A cross from Keith Buckley found McCabe in the area, but he shot over from point blank range.

The visitors kept searching in vain for a leveller. Just when the ball worked its way towards Jesse Devers in the area, his touch left him down and the chance past him by.

Galway did not lack spirit or endeavour on the night, but Shane Keegan’s side will need to start picking up some victories fairly quickly, especially with three sides getting relegated this campaign.

They host St Patrick’s Athletic next in the league and if Galway can just find their shooting boots, it would seem that they are not a million miles away from getting it right.

Bray survived late siege on their goal and march on confidently into their next game, a trip to face the current league champions Dundalk.

Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas (Jamie Aherne 38 (Derek Foran 65)), Conor Kenna, Tim Clancy, Alan Kehoe; Mark Salmon, John Sullivan; Keith Buckley, Gary McCabe (Ryan Brennan, 85), Dylan Connolly; Aaron Greene.

Subs Not Used: Lee Stacey (gk), Darragh Noone, Jason Marks, Ger Pender.

Booked: Conor Kenna (30 & 62).

Sent Off: Connor Kenna (62).

Galway United: Conor Winn; Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Alex Byrne (Vinny Faherty 69); Colm Horgan, David Cawley, Paul Sinnott (Gary Shanahan 69), Marc Luddan; Conor Melody, Jesse Devers, Ronan Murray.

Subs Not Used: Ciaran Nugent (gk), Gary Kinnehan, Robert Spellman, Aaron Conway, Maurice Nugent.

Booked: David Cawley (4), Lee Grace (72).

Referee: John McLoughlin.

Attendance: 477

Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: Aaron Greene (Bray Wanderers).