19.45 17 Aug 2015 -
Referee: Robert Rogers
League Report: Bray Wanderers 3 - 1 Bohemians
- Aaron Gallagher
- Mon, Aug 17 2015
See pictures from the game as taken by our photographer, Al Robinson, by clicking here.
Goals from Chris Lyons, Peter McGlynn and David Scully helped Bray to an impressive 3-1 home win against a hapless Bohemians on Monday night.
Robbie Creevy’s first-half opener for Bohs could do nothing to prevent an encouraging comeback from Mick Cooke's Bray side at the Carlisle Grounds which sees them close the gap to eleven points between fifth and sixth place, with all eyes now fixed on Dalymount for Friday night's FAI Cup fixture between the two clubs.
The home side went about the opening exchanges in a fevorously attacking manner as early chances from captain David Cassidy and McGlynn highlighted Bohemians' frailties at the back, particularly with the absence of Derek Prendergast at the centre of defence.
The combinations of Cassidy, McGlynn and Chris Lyons emphasised the positive playing style being implemented at Bray, with five wins in their previous six games reaping the rewards of their new lease of life under manager Mick Cooke.
The game's opening chances came in a flurry of worry for Bohemians as their nervousness at the back was exposed time and again by Ryan McEvoy pulling the strings in midfield aided by the attacking threats of Hugh Douglas and Michael Barker at the back for Bray.
If not for the linesman's offside flag and Dean Delany in the Bohs goal, Bray would certainly have taken the lead sooner, as Cassidy's dinked ball played in McGlynn with the bouncing ball gathered up after the quick reaction of Delany to spot the through ball before McGlynn.
Robbie Creevy took it upon himself to pull Bohs out of their sleepy state to cast wind to the shadows and run at the Bray defence to force a free kick that eventually, for all the midfielder's efforts, came to nothing.
However Creevy would reap rewards soon after as Lorcan Fitzgerald's inswinging corner was punched clear by Bray goalkeeper Peter Cherrie only to deflect back into the path of Creevy to head the ball easily into the back of the Bray goal in view of the hapless Cherrie.
The sea of black and red celebrations were cut short almost immediately as Mick Cooke's side broke quickly to force the ball into the Bohemians box to draw a penalty.
Eoin Wearen’s full-blooded clearance, although connecting with the ball was deemed to excessive by referee Robert Rodgers. Lyons stood the test of nerves as his perfectly executed penalty was guided into the top-most of the top corner to equal the scores at the break.
The second half continued to entertain with Bray taking the lead again in the 48th minute as McGlynn's untracked run through the heart of the Bohemians defence was met by a neatly found ball played by Ryan McEvoy leaving McGlynn with enough time to steady himself and pick a corner of his choice for a 2-1 lead to the Seagulls.
The floodgates appeared to be gradually opening at the Carlisle Grounds as, with the floodlights now pouring light onto a shimmering Bray performance, Keith Long's side held no response to Bray's onslaught of chances.
McGlynn's shot inside the Bohs penalty area stung the palms of Delany once again, with the goalkeeper’s irritation evident after chance after chance forced into save after save from the veteran keeper.
The introduction of Ismahil Akinade, alongside Jake Kelly with a combined seven goals in the pair's last four games, showed Keith Long's intentions of gaining at least a point from this fixture. However picking Jason Byrne in the starting XI against his former club also showed the manager's intentions with the teams meeting again on Friday in the FAI Cup.
Akindade looked to have levelled the scores just past the hour mark as Jake Kelly's driving run through the middle of the park fed the ball to Akindade for a clear shot at goal. However the bobbling ball rose high but still forced a wonderful save from Cherrie to keep Bray in the lead with half an hour remaining.
The young Bohs striker, another playing against his former club, certainly breathed life back into the dying animal that was Bohs's opening hour performance. His turning dummy following Dave Mulcahy's ball from the touchline almost had the net bulging, with the darting volley smashing the advertising board to the side of the goal.
The forward again carved out a chance from nothing with the substitute striding at an extreme speed to brush past the hapless Bray defence to force a corner.
Fitzgerald took it quickly to catch the Bray defence unaware and after Brazilian levels of trickery and an elastico for good measure, found Roberto Lopes who again flicked the ball behind him, however for all the skill and determination of the move found no one behind him to find the back of the net.
The chance came to level the scores for a reguvinated Bohemians in the 85th minute as a long raking ball found Jake Kelly behind enemy lines, with the forward's first-time touch only matched in quality by the evasive tackle from Alan McNally to deny him the goalscoring opportunity and clear the danger.
The game concluded with a suitable end as Scully broke quickly deep in injury time to turn Fitzgerald inside and out to rifle his shot into the roof of the net for a 3-1 Bray victory.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Michael Barker, Alan McNally, Niall Cooney, Hugh Douglas; John Sullivan, Ryan McEvoy, David Cassidy, Graham Kelly, Peter McGlynn (David Scully 70); Chris Lyons (Gareth McDonagh 85).
Subs not used: Sean Fogarty, Luke Fitzpatrick, Daniel O'Reilly, Adam Wixted, Adam Mitchell.
Bookings: Douglas (25).
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Lorcan Fitzgerald, Roberto Lopes, Dylan Hayes, Paddy Kavanagh, Stephen Best; Eoin Wearen, Kealan Dillon, Robbie Creevy (Dave Mulcahy 46), Jake Kelly; Jason Byrne (Ismahil Akinade 60).
Subs not used: Lee Stacey, Keith Buckley, Adam Evans, Jason Caffrey.
Bookings: Hayes (23), Lopes (45).
Referee: Robert Rodgers.
Attendance: 800 (estimate).
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: David Cassidy (Bray Wanderers).
About Aaron Gallagher
Aaron is a Dublin-based freelance writer currently studying journalism at Dublin City University. You can follow more of his work on Twitter @AaronGallagher8
Subs
Subs
P | Team | Pd | W | D | L | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dundalk | 33 | 23 | 9 | 1 | 78 |
2 | Cork | 33 | 19 | 10 | 4 | 67 |
3 | Shamrock R | 33 | 18 | 11 | 4 | 65 |
4 | St Patrick's Athl. | 33 | 18 | 4 | 11 | 58 |
5 | Bohs | 33 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 53 |
6 | Longford | 33 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 39 |
7 | Derry | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 35 |
8 | Bray | 33 | 9 | 6 | 18 | 33 |
9 | Sligo | 33 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 31 |
10 | Galway | 33 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 31 |
11 | Limerick | 33 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 29 |
12 | Drogheda | 33 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 28 |
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