Bray Wanderers 2-0 UCD
BRAY ARE A club that have become firmly part of the league’s furniture but a winless run that had stretched back to May had generated a sense of foreboding around the Carlisle Ground in recent weeks. A domineering and thoroughly deserved victory over UCD has eased relegation fears and demonstrated their plucky resolve that has seen them pull away from the red zone before.
Goals in either half from Ismahil Akinade and substitute Jake Kelly were enough to ensure Alan Mathews’ embattled side opened up a three point cushion over their lowly opponents and while they have now collected four points from their last two outings, they will still be looking nervously over their shoulder.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the outset and while the points weren’t secured until substitute Kelly slammed the ball into the roof of the net with a quarter of the game remaining, UCD were never really in the contest.
As it is, the Students are themselves winless in eight games and now lie just four points ahead of bottom club Athlone with the prospect of a relegation play-off looming for Aaron Callaghan’s side.
Bray, themselves, are a side all too aware of the resolve required to surmount such a precarious obstacle and they will be determined to build up a head of steam as the business end of the season ends. Certainly, they seem to be clicking into gear just at the right time. They have now taken four points from their last two outings having earned the same amount from their last fourteen league games.
Injuries have regularly depleted their ranks and while a leaky defence is a more significant reason for their barren run, they’ve benefited from a semblance of continuity in recent weeks. The hosts had the luxury of making just one change – and an enforced one at that – from the draw at Cork and it showed from the outset.
It took Bray less than a minute to pierce through the Students defence and while David Scully’s first time effort from long range was off target, the visitors didn’t take heed. Bray made their domineering start to the game count as Dave Webster’s diagonal ball held up in the wind, Scully fed the industrious Cassidy and his cross was slammed home by the inrushing Akinade.
Bray’s stranglehold in the central areas stemmed from a high pressing game as they prevented UCD – so usually adept in possession – to get their foot on the ball. Callaghan’s side grew into proceedings as the half wore on but it was the home side that came within inches of doubling their lead on the brink of half-time.
Akinade again caused the problems down the right and in a role reversal of the opening goal, his cross was met by Cassidy but on this occasion the midfielder’s powerful header struck the post. It was a let-off for UCD and one that woke them up.
A change of formation and personnel shortly after the interval proved far more effective but that it took them the best part of an hour to have a shot on goal tells its own story. Bray had been shooting blanks in front of goal recently as well, and their own profligacy could have cost them against superior opposition here.
Kelly, moments after being introduced from the bench, was unable to take advantage of more industrious work from Cassidy down the left as he shot high and wide from ten yards. His next attempt on goal was anything but wayward.
There seemed to be little danger when the former St. Pat’s winger collected the ball twenty yards from goal but some quick footwork created the opening to fire past O’Donnell at the near post. The roar that met the full-time whistle by the home fans and players highlighted the significance of the win.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Niall Cooney, Adam Mitchell (Robert Maloney, 42’), Joe Gorman, Dave Webster; Graham Kelly, David Cassidy, Dean Zambra (c ), Ismahil Akinade; David Scully, Gareth McDonagh (Jake Kelly, 60’).
Subs not used: Gavin Sheridan, Philip Hughes, Michael Brown, Ryan Swan, Sean Noble.
Subs not used: Niall Corbet, Sean Coyne, Gary Burke, Tom O’Halloran.