Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 3 St. Pats

St. Patrick's Athletic continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a fine win over Bray Wanderers. A brace from Mark Quigley and a goal from Stephen Paisley sealed the points for the Saints and they remain two points clear at the top of the table. Bray have now failed to score in all four league games this season.

Pats had the ball in the net on 12 minutes but the goal was ruled out. Gary O’Neill’s cross was converted by Mark Quigley but the striker was in an offside position. Bray had the first real chance of the game on 16 minutes when Alan Cawley’s free kick was headed goalward by Kevin Doherty. With Saints keeper Brendan Clarke beaten, a goal-mouth scramble ensued before Pats finally cleared the ball to safety.

Pats opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Keith Fahey’s corner from the right was headed in at the near-post by Stephen Paisley. They nearly doubled their lead seven minutes later when Bobby Ryan crossed from the right for Paisley but the unmarked defender saw his effort go wide of the far post.

In the 41st minute, Pats again attacked down the right with Bobby Ryan and Mark Quigley linking up well. After a nice one-two, Quigley ran into the box and shot goalwards but his effort was blocked by a Bray player.

In the second half, Pats continued their dominance and they had two chances early on. Damien Lynch had his effort saved by O’Connor before setting up Alan Kirby moments later. Lynch’s cross from the right missed everyone in the box but Kirby was at the far post to volley goalwards only for O’Connor to save again.

Just before the hour mark, Bray’s Derek Pender burst down the left wing before cutting inside past two Pats defenders. He pulled the ball back for Gavin Whelan but his shot was blocked. Whelan retrieved the ball but his follow-up effort went wide of the far post.

On 63 minutes, the Saints doubled their lead with a fine move involving Keith Fahey, Gary O’Neill and Mark Quigley. Fahey picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch and played the ball out wide to O’Neill who ran forward before crossing perfectly for Quigley who side-footed the ball under O’Connor from 12 yards.

In the 70th minute, Bray had their best chance of the game. O’Connor’s long ball was flicked on by Andrei Georgescu for Patrick Kavanagh. The winger controlled well before firing at goal, only for Clarke to tip the shot wide.

Pats put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time when Glen Fitzpatrick passed to Kirby. The winger ran to the goal-line before chipping the ball across goal for the incoming Quigley to head home.

St. Pats now face a top-of-the-table clash against unbeaten Derry City on Friday night at Richmond Park. Bray must prepare for their encounter with Finn Harps next Friday at the Carlisle Grounds in what will be a crucial match.

Bray Wanderers: Chris O’Connor; Ronan Ivory, Kevin Doherty, Ray Kenny, Gary Cronin; Paddy Kavanagh, Gavin Whelan, Alan Cawley, Mark Duggan, Derek Pender (Andy Myler 72); John Mulroy (Franco Georgescu 55).
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Colm Tresson, Paul Dunphy.

Booked: Duggan (32)

St. Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Dave Partridge, Aidan Lynch, Stephen Paisley, Joe O'Cearúill Stephen Brennan 72); Bobby Ryan (Ryan Guy 82), Alan Kirby, Gary Dempsey, Keith Fahey; Gary O’Neill (Glen Fitzpatrick 88), Mark Quigley.
Subs not used: Barry Ryan, Michael Keane.

Booked: Quigley (28), Dempsey (37)

Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Dublin).

Man of the Match: Mark Quigley (St. Patrick's Athletic).