- Gareth O'Reilly
- Sat, Aug 17 2013
A goal 10 minutes from time by Ciaran Kilduff gave Cork City's caretaker boss Stewart Ashton his second win in just two attempts since he took over on a temporary basis from Tommy Dunne. City had led through an early goal from Ian Turner but that was cancelled out by an Ismahil Akinade header. However, when Jason Byrne was forced off at half time Bray lacked that finishing instinct and therefore suffered their seventh home loss of the season.
It was an entertaining first half with the ever exciting Kieran Waters in top form. He nearly produced a moment of magic when he attempted to lob Mark McNulty from thirty yards out after just four minutes. His effort, however, was ever so slightly over-hit as it crept over the crossbar.
Cork, who were the better side for the majority of the half, did take the lead just two minutes later as Turner smashed a cracker of a strike past Darren Quigley. The Bray keeper had no chance of keeping Turner's shot from nestling into the back of the net.
Though he ended up being the match-winner, Kilduff had numerous chances to get his name on the scoresheet in the first half. The best Cork move of the first half saw the on loan Shamrock Rovers striker through on goal only for the home side's captain Danny O'Connor to get a vital block in.
Morrissey and Turner also saw efforts cleared as Bray placed all hands on deck to keep the score at just 1-0.
The home side managed to draw level not too long after though, through Akinade as the striker notched his ninth of the campaign so far. The goal came as Akinade rose highest to head past McNulty after Waters delivered a superb ball from the left hand side.
After Akinade's goal the game began to calm down with chances hard to come by for both sides although Cork continued to dominate the first half possession stakes.
The second half was delayed by over five minutes while the grounds staff fixed a netting issue and when the play did start up again there was little for the crowd to get excited about.
Gary Dempsey and David Webster both had headers from set pieces while Turner also attempted to add to his goals tally for the away side. All three men were however unsuccessful as both keepers stood tall.
As the clock hit the hour mark Dan Murray spurned a fantastic chance to put Cork in front. Murray, however, failed to get a good connection on Turner's corner, instead slicing his shot at the back-post out of the ground.
Bray were the better side for alot of the second half as Dempsey became the latest man to fire wide. Not long after, Waters twice shot over from thirty yards out as it became clear that the midfielder was becoming more and more frustrated.
The decisive goal of the game then came as the game entered its final ten minutes through Kilduff The on-loan Shamrock Rovers player has been something of a revelation since his move to Leeside and he blasted past Quigley from eight yards, much to the away fans' delight.
With only ten minutes left Cork opted to sit back and try and hold out for a vital win but Bray really lacked that clinical touch in the final third, a case which was not helped when top scorer Byrne was forced off at half-time having suffered a concussion in the first half.
Therefore it was hardly surprising that they managed just the one shot in the dying stages, through Kevin O'Connor. The glee on the Cork players' faces at the final whistle was clear for all to see as the post-Dunne era continues to strengthen.
Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; David Webster, Danny O'Connor (Kevin Knight 87) Niall Cooney (Conor Early 36), Stephen Quigley; Dean Zambra, Kieran Waters, Kevin O'Connor, Gary Dempsey; Jason Byrne (John Mulroy 46), Ismahil Akinade
Subs Not Used: Adam Mitchell, Daire Doyle, Dwayne Wilson, Shane Redmond.
Booked: K O'Connor (44).
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Neal Horgan, Dan Murray Gary Buckley, Danny Murphy (Colin Healy 70); Ian Turner (John Kavanagh 74), Gearoid Morrissey, John Dunleavy, Shane Duggan; Danny Morrissey (Stephen Kenny 80), Ciaran Kilduff
Subs Not Used: Kalen Spillane, Brian Lenihan, Robert Lehane, Kevin Burns.
Booked: Buckley (28), D Murphy (38), D Murray (64), Kenny (90)
Referee: Derek Tomney.
Attendance: 500 (estimate)
Man Of The Match: Ciaran Kilduff (Cork City).
