- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Apr 28 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from the Carlisle Grounds
Ronan Coughlan’s brace inspired Waterford to a sixth league victory in a row under newly-appointed boss Keith Long against Bray Wanderers.
Coughlan’s second half double was the difference as Cole Omorehiomwan gave the Seagulls a first half.
But Max Murphy’s red card turned the game on its head with Coughlan on hand to score his 13th and 14th league goal of the season to keep pace with leaders Galway United.
Coming into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw against Longford Town last week, Ian Ryan made three changes to his starting XI.
Youngster Ben Feeney failed a late fitness test, while Jake Walker and Ger Shortt missed out through injury – with Chris Lyons, Conor Davis and Harry Groome all coming in.
Waterford however were unchanged from their win against Treaty United on Monday night as they sought a sixth league win in a row under new boss Keith Long.
But it was the Seagulls who took an early through towering defender Omorehiomwan in the third minute.
The former Shamrock Rovers defender had a clear run on goal to blast his header home following Joe Power’s corner-kick – beating Blues netminder Paul Martin to the ball to score.
But Waterford responded to that setback well and had the ball in the back of the net minutes later as Ryan Burke netted – but he was offside.
And that frustration typified the half for the Blues who were unable to break down the Bray Wanderers defence.
Shane Griffin then went close in the 11th minute, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was well saved by Seagulls keeper Stephen McGuinness.
Dane Massey was then on hand to divert Connor Parsons cross over the bar as in-form striker Coughlan lurked at the back post in the 15th minute.
And in a rare foray forward, Chris Lyons was bundled over by Dean Larkin – but was booked for a yellow card after being adjudged to have gone down too easily by referee Eoghan O’Shea.
But in terms of an attacking threat, Waterford were the side on top – yet lacked any real spark in the opening period with their openings generally limited.
Granted, they ought to have levelled through Coughlan who directed Tumnise Sobowale’s cross into the box just over the bar before the break.
However, that spark arrived in the early stages of the second half as the Blues upped the ante after a half-time dressing down by boss Long.
First, Max Murphy was dismissed for a second yellow card after felling Sobowale – and Waterford levelled moments later.
Defender Dean Larkin played the ball to the influential Niall O’Keefe who then found Coughlan.
And within an instant, the former St Patrick’s Athletic hitman stroked the ball home into the back of the net for his 13th of the season with ease.
Sub Idowu then had the ball in the back of the net shortly after the hour mark, but he was unable to beat the offside flag after latching onto O’Keefe’s diagonal ball.
But the elusive second eventually arrived in the 74th minute through Coughlan’s head.
Ryan Burke’s cross squeezed in between Omorehiomwan and Jack Hudson – and he made no mistake to steer his effort home.
Chris Conn-Clarke then went close for the Blues to seal the deal inside the last ten minutes, but he could only blaze his effort on goal over the bar.
And that was how it ended as Waterford’s sixth win in a row ended Bray Wanderers unbeaten home league record under boss Ian Ryan.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Jack Hudson, Dane Massey, Max Murphy, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillemo Almirral, Darren Craven, Conor Davis (Lorcan Fitzgerald 59) (Luka Lovic 59), Harry Groome, Joe Power (Callum Thompson 73); Chris Lyons.
Subs not used: Alex Moody, David Webster, Conor Knight, Daniel Chukwu, Ben Clarke.
Booked: Chris Lyons (22), Max Murphy (38), Max Murphy (52), Lorcan Fitzgerald (53).
Sent off: Max Murphy (52).
Waterford: Paul Martin; Ryan Burke, Dean Larkin (Eddie Nolan 84), Giles Phillips, Tunmise Sobowale; Barry Baggley, Shane Griffin (Chris Conn-Clarke 66), Dean McMenamy (Roland Idowu 66), Niall O'Keeffe, Connor Parsons; Ronan Coughlan.
Subs not used: Tom Donaghy, Harvey Warren, Ronan Mansfield, Killian Cantwell, Thomas Oluwa, Romeo Akachukwu.
Booked: Dean McMenamy (34), Dean Larkin (42), Ryan Burke (71).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
Attendance: 1000 (Estimate).
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ronan Coughlan (Waterford).
