League Report: Bray Wanderers 2 - 0 UCD

Ciarán Ó Meachair reports from the Carlisle Grounds

A brave UCD were outdone by two Darragh Lynch goals, one in each half, as Bray Wanderers ran out 2-0 winners at the Carlisle Grounds.

Around 40 season ticket-holders were on hand to support the Seagulls, as manager Gary Cronin looked for a response from his players after last week’s defeat at the hands of Drogheda United.

It was a memorable night for Bray striker Lynch who netted a brace, his first two goals in senior football.

A somewhat cagey start meant the game was extremely tight before Bray took the lead after just 15 minutes.

Lynch made a solo run past two UCD defenders, leaving him one on one with UCD’s Lorcan Healy before finding the net.

UCD didn’t alter their game much following the goal. They held onto possession for long periods of time, passing the ball around well in an attempt to work a chance.

There were a lot of shouts for a penalty against Bray from UCD players for a handball in the area just before the hour mark, but referee Kevin O’Sullivan wasn’t swayed.

Ultimately the killer blows never came for the Students, and their finishing was lacklustre at times.



When Lynch bagged his second for the Seagulls, turning home loanee Callum Thompson's cross, with less than 20 minutes left there was little expectation that UCD could salvage anything from the game.

The Belfield club continued to play attractive football but couldn’t work anything past a Bray side that were solid defensively, albeit plagued by ill discipline at times.

As UCD committed more players forward they left themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks and Bray came close to a third on a number of occasions but were hurt by poorly-placed passes.

It was far from a perfect performance by Bray, but they were clinical when chances fell to them.

Bray Wanderers: Brian Maher; Kilian Cantwell, Aaron Barry, Dylan Barnett, Sean McEvoy (Marlon Marishta 89), John Ross Wilson; Luka Lovic (Paul Keegan 75), Callum Thompson, Jack Watson (Derek Daly 55); Darragh Lynch (Ryan Graydon 75), Joe Doyle .

Subs not used: Paul Keegan, Adam Hayden, Ryan Graydon, Derek Daly, Marlon Marishta, Tristan Noack Hofmann, Gary Shaw.



Booked: Sean McEvoy (33), Jack Watson (50), Joe Doyle (69), Kilian Cantwell (90).

UCD: Lorcan Healy; Michael Gallagher, Evan Farrell, Josh Collins, Evan Osam; Jack Keaney, Dara Keane, Paul Doyle, Mark Dignam (Evan Weir 71), Liam Kerrigan; Colm Whelan (Danu Kinsella Bishop 88).

Subs not used: Eoin Farrell, Luke Boore, Abdul Bapikur, Danu Kinsella Bishop, Harry McEvoy, Eoghan O'Sullivan, Evan Weir.

Booked: Michael Gallagher (90),

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.

Attendance: 40 (estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Darragh Lynch (Bray Wanderers).

    About Ciarán Ó Meachair

    Ciarán Ó Meachair is a MA Student at Queens' University Belfast. View Full Profile