- Gareth O'Reilly
- Fri, Aug 29 2014
Bray jumped ahead of their local rivals UCD as goals from Ismahil Akinade and Jake Kelly gave the Seagulls a much deserved lead. It was Bray's first win since May and it certainly was not a classic but Alan Matthews won't mind as his side move into 10th place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table.
Bray dominated for much of the first half and managed to go in front after just eleven minutes of play, as Ismahil Akinade fired home from six yards out. The Bray striker benefited from a neat David Cassidy run through the heart of the UCD defence as the Boys in Blue simply crumbled under the early pressure from the home side.
Bray who were without a win in thirteen games heading into this encounter certainly did not look like a side struggling in 11th position in the league table. The Students on another hand looked short of ideas in multiple categories as numerous defensive frailties appeared to be exposed.
Early mistakes from Ian Ryan, Gareth Matthews and Hugh Douglas were certainly not helping the visitors on Friday night and maybe they should have been two behind when Gareth McDonagh's half volley went into the side netting after some exciting play down the left side of the field by David Cassidy.
Less than ten minutes before half time Joe Gorman nearly caused some havoc on the UCD goal line as his run down the left beat Samir Belhout. Following that the defender attempting something between a shot and a cross that ended up skimming the top of Conor O'Donnell's cross bar before going over the bar. The young shot stopper was well beaten on this occasion.
Then with just one minute to go till the half time break Akinade delivered a peach of ball from the ring side of the field. David Cassidy was the man that met it, only to see his header rebound back off the post.
The second half started relatively slowly with Bray marginally edging the possession stats but even the home side were failing to create any clear cut chances. McDonagh and Akinade looked lively for the Seagulls while the Students opted to push Belhout into a more forward position for the second period in a bid to get back into this game.
The second goal of the game did arrive finally on the 75th minute and it came in the form of the home side's substitute Jake Kelly. O'Donnell was caught largely off guard when Kelly turned and smashed the ball home.
The goal forced Callaghan into two changes as Sloggett and Molloy were sprung from the bench. While going three at the back helped the Students threat up front it left them open at the back as Akinade proved. The striker forcing O'Donnell to back track and tip his deflected shot onto his cross bar.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Niall Cooney, Adam Mitchell (Robert Maloney 43), Joe Gorman, Dave Webster; Graham Kelly, David Cassidy, Dean Zambra David Scully; Ismahil Akinade, Gareth McDonagh (Jake Kelly).
Subs Not Used: Gavin Sheridan, Philip Hughes, Michael Brown, Ryan Swan, Sean Noble
Booked: David Scully (88)
UCD: Conor O'Donnell; Hugh Douglas, Ian Ryan (Gregory Sloggett 79), James Kavanagh, Gareth Matthews; Samir Belhout, Colm Crowe (Chris Mulhall 53), Robert Creevy, Robert Benson, Aymen Ben Mohamed; Conor Cannon (Timmy Molloy 75).
Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet, Sean Coyne, Gary Burke, Thomas O'Halloran
Booked: Hugh Douglas
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 250 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: David Cassidy (Bray Wanderers)
