- Paul Corcoran
- Fri, Apr 14 2023
Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
Galway United extended their winning run to nine games with an emphatic 6-0 win over Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
Killian Brouder opened the scoring in the tenth minute with David Hurley contributing later in the first half. Vince Borden scored in either half with Mikie Rowe and Ibrahim Keita coming off the bench to score a goal each in the second half.
John Caulfield made no changes to his side from their 4-0 win over Wexford last weekend with Francely Lomboto holding on to his starting place after scoring last week having come into the side in place of Ronan Manning.
Bray Wanderers ran out 1-0 winners over Athlone Town last week and manager Ian Ryan made two changes to his side, Alex Moody started in goals in place of Stephen McGuinness having served a suspension last Friday, Jake Walker also came in to replace Gerard Shortt.
The home side were the first to register a shot on target when a wayward clearance by the Bray defence in the sixth minute fell to Vince Borden – the American took aim on the edge of the box but Alex Moody managed to force the shot over the crossbar.
United were in front four minutes later, their second corner of the game found its way to Conor O’Keeffe – he took a touch at the back post and flicked the ball across goal for Killian Brouder who nodded the ball into the net.
Wanderers were nearly in for a quick equaliser in the 13th minute after a great ball to Ben Feeney, the forward found himself in front of goal but O’Keeffe managed to get across the box for a last ditch challenge to deny the visitors.
The Tribesmen doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Ed McCarthy nicked a ball through to Borden, the American took aim on the edge of the box and blasted the ball into the bottom left corner for his sixth of the season.
The visitors battled back immediately after with Feeney going close with a header in the 23rd minute and the striker nearly turning provider for Jake Walker two minutes later with Brendan Clarke making the save.
David Hurley added a third in the 28th minute when referee Paul Norton gave a penalty for an apparent handball in the Bray box – the midfielder struck his shot into the bottom left for his fourth goal of the season.
McCarthy had a shot saved in the 49th minute when Borden found space on the right wing, he floated a ball across the box to Stephen Walsh who lined up his teammate for the shot but Moody was able to deny the former Treaty United player.
Substitute Mikie Rowe had a gilt edged chance in the 58th minute after a lovely flick from Hurley over the defence – the midfielder had a great opportunity but his volley went over the crossbar.
Clarke was called into action in the 64th minute to acrobatically save a nailed on goal when Rob Slevin sent a defensive header the wrong way.
The goalkeeper then immediately contributed to United’s fourth foal of the night when he fired a long ball up the field, finding Walsh in place. The forward showed great footwork to send defenders the wrong way before laying off to Borden who smashed the ball home for his second of the night.
Walsh showed his trademark determination in the 73rd minute when he got in ahead of Moody to a pass back, the goalkeeper tripped the striker and picked up a booking for his trouble. Rowe did the honours from the penalty spot as he struck the ball to the left, rattling the net.
Ibrahim Keita came off the bench in the 76th minute and it took him less than ten minutes to find the net – fellow substitute Steven Healy sending a long ball up the field to Borden who managed to sneak the ball into Keita’s path, the striker with a great finish off balance to get the ball into the net.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Colm Horgan, Conor O'Keeffe, Rob Slevin; Vincent Borden, David Hurley (Steven Healy 76), Francely Lomboto (Mikie Rowe 55), Edward McCarthy (Mikey McCullagh 76), Conor McCormack (Maurice Nugent 68); Stephen Walsh (Ibrahim Keita 76).
Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Evan O'Connor, Darren Clarke, Rob Manley.
Booked: Conor McCormack (35).
Bray Wanderers: Alex Moody; Jack Hudson (David Webster 46), Dane Massey, Max Murphy, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillemo Almirral (Conor Davis 84), Ben Feeney, Harry Groome (Darren Craven 51), Luka Lovic, Jake Walker (Conor Knight 84); Chris Lyons (Ger Shortt 74).
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Zach Donohue, Callum Thompson.
Booked: Luka Lovic (26), Dane Massey (29), Alex Moody (72).
Referee: Paul Norton.
Attendance: 2,200 (estimate)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Vince Borden (Galway United)
