- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Sep 09 2023
Patrick O Connor reports from the Carlisle Grounds
Galway United travelled cross country to the east coast on Friday night in what proved to be a worthwhile trip that saw them claim all three points in a 4-1 win over Bray Wanderers.
The win moves then to within four points of the First Division title and automatic promotion back to the Premier Division.
And that is a goal they will surely realise well before the season ends at the end of October.
Bray Wanderers’ own hopes of being involved in the promotion play off stages were dented by the loss and they now look unlikely to feature in those games.
Their closest rivals Longford Town and Wexford both picked up valuable points on the road on Friday night.
Galway United certainly did not play like champions-elect in the first half however.
And in fact it was the home side who look the more accomplished and played the better football.
Bray were dominant in the opening phases of play with Yoyo Mahdy, Darren Craven and Guillermo Almirall causing lots of problems for the Galway defence.
However, the visitors took the lead with a goal against the run of play in the 33rd minute.
A long throw-in on their right side fell to David Hurley whose powerful shot ricocheted off a Bray defender into the path of Stephen Walsh and he stabbed the ball home past Matt Connor to make it 1-0.
The Seagulls deservedly got back on level terms six minutes later however with the best goal of the night.
Harry Groome picked up a loose ball on the half way line and ran at the Galway defence, beating numerous defenders as he weaved his way into the box before unleashing a powerful shot that gave Brendan Clarke no chance in the Galway goal.
The key patterns of the first half were repeated midway through the second half with Bray very much on top but being hit with another sucker punch in the 70th minute.
This time it was substitute Francely Lomboto who drew a foul when he made his way into the box with referee Paul Norton not hesitating in awarding the penalty.
David Hurley struck the penalty with great confidence to make it 2-1 but the home side responded in style again and took the game to Galway right up to the 90th minute.
2-1 would have been a fair reflection of the game, however, the score line was very much distorted by two injury time goals that made in 4-1 on the night.
Lomboto set up Walsh for his second of the night in the 92nd minute and one minute later Aodh Dervin cut through the Bray defence and laid it on a plate for Walsh to get his hat trick.
It was a hugely disappointing result for the Seagulls who put in one of their best performances of the season.
But it was not enough on the night and Galway Utd boarded the bus home knowing that it is only a matter of time before they get their hands on the league trophy.
Bray Wanderers: Matt Connor; Len O Sullivan (Thomas Morgan 91), Sean Quinn (Chris Lyons 46) Harry Groome (Conor Crowley 79), Cole Omorehiomwan, Dane Massey, Callum Thompson, Darren Craven, Max Murphy, Guillermo Almirall, Yousef Mahdy (Jake Walker 79).
Subs not used: Alex Moody, Jack Hudson, Conor Knight, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Daniel Chuku.
Booked: Sean Quinn (36), Ian Ryan (82), Lorcan Fitzgerald (86)
Galway United: Brendan Clarke, Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Maurice Nugent, Stephen Walsh, David Hurley, Vincent Borden, Conor McCormack, Daren Clarke (Francely Lomboto 56) Ed McCarthy (Aodh Dervin 71), Wassim Aouachria (Rob Manley 85)
Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Daire McCarthy, David Tarmey, Evan O Connor, Oisin O Reilly, Brian Cunningham.
Booked: Wassim Aouachria (83), Aodh Dervin (89).
Referee: Paul Norton
Attendance: 500 (Estimate)
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Stephen Walsh (Galway United).
