- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Feb 24 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from the Carlisle Grounds
Cole Omorehiomwan’s brace gave Bray Wanderers a second win of the season in their first home game of the 2023 campaign.
The central defender opened the scoring with a header in the 16th minute before Chris Lyons doubled their advantage minutes into the second-half.
Yet, Kerry responded by scoring their first ever League of Ireland goal through Leo Gaxha seconds later in the 50th minute.
But Omorehiomwan rose again in the 57th minute to seal the deal for Bray after meeting another Crowley corner-kick as the Seagulls proved their class on home soil.
Despite a promising start by Billy Dennehy’s Kingdom, they coughed up the first chance of the game in the fourth minute.
Former Wexford winger Ger Shortt burst down the right flank, before dragging his ball back towards Chris Lyons.
But the former Drogheda United striker could only curl his effort wide of Wayne Guthrie’s goal.
The Seagulls went close again minutes later but Jake Walker’s guilt-edged opportunity was skied over the bar.
However, Ian Ryan’s charges took the lead in the 16th minute when Omorehiomwan headed home at the back post.
The former Shamrock Rovers defender was found free by Conor Crowley’s wicked ball into the box from a corner-kick and made no mistake to nod home.
Moments later Bray should have doubled their advantage, but Walker was denied again by Guthrie who helped clear the danger.
Kerry however had their chances, with Sean O’Connell’s free-kick and a long-range sighter from Sean Kennedy failing to adequately threaten Alex Moody in the hosts goal.
But the Kingdom ought to have levelled before the break as Gaxha was denied by a last-ditch block from Max Murphy after Sean Kennedy found the winger free at the back stick.
And they were punished just minutes into the second half as Bray doubled their lead through hitman Lyons.
Lyons, 29, stooped low to direct Shortt’s cross into the back of the net and undo Kerry’s good work towards the end of the opening period of the game.
But Kerry got their goal as Gaxha slotted home into the left-corner of Moody’s goal after Nathan Gleeson played in an exquisite ball into the winger’s path to score.
It was a deserving goal for the Kingdom – and it was their first competitive goal as a senior League of Ireland club.
Their fightback was quelled however, with Omorehiomwan heading home his second of the night.
The 20-year-old met Crowley’s corner-kick just seconds after Dane Massey was denied by Wayne Guthrie in the Kerry goal from a similar set-piece routine.
And Bray should have put the game beyond Kerry’s reach just before the hour mark, but Lyons once again missed a sitter in front of goal after a devilish ball in from Shortt down the right wing.
Substitute Joe Power then went close to scoring his first goal for the Seagulls late on, but the midfielder saw his shot creep wide of goal after some good play from Ben Feeney.
Gleeson then went close for Kerry in the 87th minute as they sought a late consolation but he was thwarted by Moody in the Seagulls net.
And that was how it ended as the Wanderers claimed their first home win of the season – and Dennehy’s League of Ireland new boys netted their first goal as a First Division club.
Bray Wanderers: Alex Moody; Dane Massey, Max Murphy, Cole Omorehiomwan, Len O'Sullivan (Jack Hudson 24); Guillemo Almirral (Luka Lovic 63), Conor Crowley (Joe Power 77), Harry Groome; Chris Lyons (Conor Davis 77), Ger Shortt, Jake Walker (Ben Feeney 63).
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Conor Knight, Callum Thompson, Eoin Farrell.
Booked: Guillemo Almirral (58), Harry Groome (73).
Kerry: Wayne Guthrie; Shane Guthrie, Sean O'Connell, Kalen Spillane (Samuel Aladesanusi 54), Kevin Williams; Matt Keane, Sean McGrath, Andy Quaid (Ronan Teahan 54); Leo Gaxha, Sean Kennedy (Steven McCarthy 83), Trpimir Vrljicak (Nathan Gleeson 46).
Subs not used: Callan Scully, Jonathan Hannafin, Graham O'Reilly, Alex Ainscough, Cian Brosnan.
Booked: Andy Quaid (45).
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.
Attendance: 1500 (Estimate).
extratime.com Player of the Match: Cole Omorehiomwan (Bray Wanderers).
