- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Apr 19 2024
Andrew Dempsey reports the Carlisle Grounds
Bray Wanderers edged past Treaty United with a 2-1 victory in the First Division on Friday night.
Kieran Cruise’s opener set the Seagulls on their way to three points, with striker Peter Grogan also on target for the hosts.
But they had to withstand a second-half storm from Treaty United after Leon Kirrane halved the deficit with just over 15 minutes left to play.
Bray are now sitting in fourth place following their third win in a row.
Seeking a third league win on the spin, Bray Wanderers were unchanged from last weekend’s routine 3-0 win over Longford Town.
Treaty United however made two changes with Evan O’Connor and Fionn Doherty dropping out in place of Robbie Lynch and Alec Byrne.
But the Seagulls started the better of the two and took the lead inside just seven minutes.
Former Shamrock Rovers youngster Cruise - who joined the Wanderers during the off-season - opened the scoring with a toe-poke finish on the edge of the box.
Ireland under-19 international Freddie Turley found the left-back after Treaty United were guilty of losing possession in a bad area of the pitch.
And Cruise did well to find the back of the net with a cool finish that rolled into the corner of the net and past Corey Chambers.
Ian Ryan’s men enjoyed all of the play after that and dominated proceedings, but they were almost pegged back in the 22nd minute when Mark Walsh curled an effort just wide of Stephen McGuinness’ goal.
But Bray did not have to wait much longer to score a second, and it arrived just five minutes later through Grogan.
The former Ireland Schools international tapped home with a good finish after he was found unmarked in the box by Conor Knight’s cross, with Treaty full-back Oisin O’Reilly dispossessed on the left flank.
That goal seemed to kickstart the visitors into some sort of life as the half-time break approached - but they were unable to make their chances count.
Walsh had their best however as he blazed over from inside the six-yard box after Bray failed to clear a corner-kick well enough.
But Bray were in control at that point and looked in Cruise control.
Treaty emerged a different side after the break after piled the pressure on the hosts.
Yoyo Mahdy was the first to go close for the visitors in a strong second half as he tried to lob keeper McGuinness from the edge of the penalty box - but he was denied.
Walsh then went close himself with an effort that was drilled into the ground after the Seagulls were caught napping when trying to play their way out of defence.
But Walsh should have scored from a Stephen Christopher free-kick that he headed straight at Seagulls stopper McGuinness.
McGuinness was busy at this point but the hosts had a penalty shout of their own during Treaty’s spell on top.
However, referee Lucas Keating opted to book Grogan for a dive despite there appearing to be contact between him and Ben O’Riordan.
The Shannonsiders eventually got their goal with just over 15 minutes left to play as sub Kirrane blasted a fine effort into the top corner.
But it was too little too late for the visitors who are now seven games without a win. Meanwhile, Bray are motoring very nicely after a stop-start beginning to the campaign.
Bray Wanderers:Stephen McGuinness; Killian Cantwell, Kieran Cruise (Zach Nolan 90), Max Murphy, Evan Osam; Shane Griffin, Harry Groome (Callum Thompson 76), Conor Knight (Darren Craven 61), Paul Murphy, Freddie Turley; Peter Grogan (Cristian Magerusan 61).
Subs not used:Jamie Duggan, Guillermo Almirall Peñalver, Thomas Morgan, Ben Clarke.
Booked:Peter Grogan (52), Darren Craven (74), Freddie Turley (77), Cristian Magerusan (82).
Treaty United:Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch, Oisín O'Reilly, Ben O'Riordan, Mark Walsh; Mark Byrne (Thomas Considine 55), Alec Byrne (Mark Murphy 67), Stephen Christopher (Nikodem Kozlowski 79), Lee Devitt Molloy, Scott Kirkland (Leon Kirrane 67); Yousef Mahdy (William Armshaw 55).
Subs not used:Michael Dike, Conor Carew, Fionn Doherty, Mark O'Halloran.
Booked:Robbie Lynch (63), Stephen Christopher (77).
Referee:Lucas Keating.
Attendance:584.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Kieran Cruise (Bray Wanderers).
