It wasn't pretty and won't live long in the memory but it was the perfect result for Bray Wanderers as they returned to winning ways and claimed top spot in the process. Joe Doyle bagged the only goal of the tie after 24 minutes when he tapped home
It wasn't pretty and won't live long in the memory but it was the perfect result for Bray Wanderers as they returned to winning ways and claimed top spot in the process.
Joe Doyle bagged the only goal of the tie after 24 minutes when he tapped home the rebound following a Philip Gannon strike. Dean O’Halloran and Dylan McGlade almost combined for an early opener when O’Halloran crossed from the left which McGlade met but it wasn’t a clean strike and it was a routine stop for Adam Mylod.
After a number of lacklustre finishes, Doyle finally reaped his reward in the 24th minute. Philip Gannon unleashed an effort from the edge of the area that Mylod appeared to see late – hence why he only flapped at the ball which bounced kindly for the in-rushing Doyle to sweep home.
The visitors were enjoying decent spells of possession but made very little progress in the final third. Turner tested Sava with a strike from distance but again, it lacked real direction and was a routine stop for Sava.
It should have been 2-0 for Bray on 54 minutes but more meek finishing meant Gary Cronin’s nerves continued jangling. The ball was driven into the feet of O’Halloran who – with a sublime first-time flick – released Doyle.
The striker still had a lot of work to do and did well to outmuscle his man but then fluffed the chance as he meekly steered it into the body of Mylod. Wanderers had another close-call on 71 minutes when Derek Daly got goalside of his man to connect with McGlade’s cross from the right but from almost point-blank range, Mylod managed to get his body behind it and Cobh remained in the tie.
Mylod must have had his heart in his mouth with three minutes remaining as McGlade skinned his man on the right before drilling in a cross that begged to be tapped in – nobody obliged but it mattered little as Bray took the points.
