League Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Shelbourne

Gareth Danaher reports from the Carlisle Grounds.

Shelbourne rubber-stamped their title credentials at a sun kissed Carlisle Grounds on Saturday afternoon with a one goal win over Bray Wanderers. 

Ex-Bray man Karl Moore wrapped up all three points for Shels with his superb free kick curling into the top corner.  

Shelbourne currently sit top of the table on 34 points after today’s win while Bray remain in fifth.

The game started quietly with both sides not even creating any chances within the first ten minutes.

Derek Daly went close for the Seagulls after just eleven minutes on the clock after he stretched his way onto a looping cross, but his effort hit the side netting of Colin McCabe’s goal.

However, just moments later, Shelbourne broke the deadlock through Karl Moore.

Moore curled his free kick from the edge of the box into the top-right hand of Gabriel Sava’s net, leaving the ex-Dundalk ‘keeper with no chance.

Daly continued to cause danger for the Reds - who brought a large travelling support to the seaside - On the half hour mark, the ex-Waterford winger saw his drilled low cross to Phillip Gannon at the back post finding the ex-Bohemians midfielder, but he was unable to convert.

Five minutes into the second half and the Reds were nearly grabbed a second when James English headed the ball into the bottom right corner, but Sava got down well to concede again.

Seconds later, Ian Morris’s side were in again but Greg Moorhouse’s point blank header was parried onto the crossbar by Sava.

Bray rarely threatened in the second half as manager Gary Cronin decided to send defender Hughie Douglas up front for the last ten minutes to try and salvage a point.

Shels dropped deeper though as Bray went on in search of an equaliser with efforts from Dean O’Halloran and Gannon.

However, it wasn’t to be for the Seagulls in the end as Shelbourne sealed all three points to copper-fasten their position at the top of the pile.

Bray Wanderers: Gabriel Sava; Hugh Douglas, Dylan Barnett, Killian Cantwell, Sean Heaney; Paul Keegan, Dean O’Halloran, Phillip Gannon, Joe Doyle (Dylan McGlade, 60), Derek Daly; Richie Purdy (Jake Ellis, 68).

Subs not used: Adam Hayden, Darragh Gibbons, Luka Lovic, Brandon McCann, Luke Nolan.

Booked: Paul Keegan, Hugh Douglas.

Shelbourne: Colin McCabe; Lorcan Fitzgerald, Luke Byrne, Aidan Friel, Derek Prendergast; Oscar Brennan, Ryan Brennan (Darragh Noone, 85), Karl Moore; Shane Farrell (Daniel McKenna, 70), James English (Conan Byrne, 70), Greg Moorhouse.

Subs not used: Dean Delany, Flavio Marku, Alex O’Hanlon, Dayle Rooney.

Booked: James English.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance: 1,428 (official).

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Karl Moore (Shelbourne).