Galway United 0 - 3 Bray Wanderers

Bray Wanderers left Terryland Park on Friday night with all three points after scoring three goals, one in the first by way of Conor Murphy and two in the second from John Mulroy and Stephen Last, the latter scoring on his debut.

Mercy never falls heavily on teams in the relegation positions and the first half was testament to that. After having one of their best 45 minutes of play thus far in the Airtricity league Galway ended up heading into the break one goal down after Conor Murphy bundled home at the worst possible time for the hosts; right on the halftime whistle.

Gilmore and Murphy played the line well for the hosts and were both involved in early scares for Bray. Murphy volleyed over on the turn from six yards before Gilmore looked to have been felled in the box but referee McKeon waved away the appeals.

The Galway midfield, with the addition on Jonathan Keane looked more composed than in recent weeks and were finding wingers Karl Moore and Bobby Ryan often and with effect. Their crosses however were often overcooked or were aimed at the pint sized Gilmore who couldn't connect.

Slowly but surely Bray started to find their feet and one couldn't help but feel that the good start the hosts made would count for nothing. John Mulroy was testing Paul Sinnott down the left and had a stinging drive palmed away by Fleming on 28 minutes. Indeed it was Mulroy who had a hand in the Bray opener. His acrobatic volley that was heading superbly for the top corner was turned around by Greg Fleming. The resultant corner taken by Dempsey was missed by the big Scotsman in the United goal and bundled in by Murphy to the groans of the home crowd.

Bray stormed out of thee blocks after halftime to really seal this encounter. John Mulroy soon got the goal his performance deserved and Stephen Last scored the third on his debut to effectively seal the contest in Bray's favour. A neat turn by Chris Shields on the end line left Paul Sinnott for dead and he crossed to Mulroy, a poor first touch was followed by a superb second as he coolly volleyed to the corner of the net on the turn to double the lead.

Stephen Last then, a mere six minutes later made it three with a debut goal. A cross from Massey on the right resulted on the big defender heading off the cross bar but he was quickest to the rebound and headed to the net as the Galway defenders floundered around him.

After using up all his substitutes Connor in the Galway dugout couldn't believe his poor luck when debutant Jonathan Keane went down injured. He had to be removed as a consequence and Galway continued with a numerical disadvantage.

With that the Galway heads went down such is the mood around Terryland Park. Mulroy went close again on 69 minutes when he sauntered into the Galway box but sent his drive wide of the goal frame. Substitute Dan McGuinness too could have added a fourth but when one on one he couldn't get the ball around Fleming.

In the final moments Karl Moore saw his effort at a consolation come back off the post but at this stage Bray were strolling.

Galway will be happy with the first 45 minutes but the demoralising way in which they capitulated following the first goal will thoroughly disappoint the Galway faithful. For Bray, a confident display that had the swagger of a competent top half side, an aspect of the victory Pat Devlin must be happy with.

Galway United: Greg Fleming; Evan Preston Kelly, Stephen Walsh, Paul Sinnot (Gary Kelly 58), Shaun Maher; Gary Curran, Bobby Ryan (Shane Keogh 73), Jonathan Keane, Karl Moore; Mikey Gilmore, Alan Murphy (Steven Feeney, 58).
Subs Not Used: Darragh Duggan, Conor Winn.

Bookings: None.

Sent Off: S Walsh (93).

Bray Wanderers: Matt Greg; Shane O Connor, Joe Kendrick (Sean Houston 80), Stephen Last, Derek Prendergast; Gary Dempsey, John Mulroy, Danny O'Connor (Dan McGuinness, 80), Conor Murphy (Dean Zambra 86); Chris Shields, Dane Massey.
Subs Not Used: Daire Doyle, Shane O'Neill, Graham Kelly, Brian Keane.

Bookings: Kendrick (41).

Referee: Dave McKeon.
Attendance: 695
Extratime Man of the Match: John Mulroy.