Late penalty saves point for Seagulls
at the Carlisle Grounds
BRAY WANDERERS WATERFORD FC 2 2
BRAY WANDERERS’ late, late show saw them steal a point from the jaws of defeat against title challengers Waterford FC.
The Seagulls trailed 1-2 with only seconds remaining when Dan Kelly seized on a defensive error and earned a penalty which captain Gary McCabe duly dispatched to close the gap on Limerick to five points.
Graham Kelly’s men had actually taken the lead after just three minutes courtesy of a Dan McKenna header but the Blues levelled on the stroke of half time before thinking they’d gained victory thanks to Courtney Duffus’ excellent 69th minute strike.
McKenna wasn’t even supposed to be starting on Monday but he was wedged into the starting line-up as a late replacement for Rhys Gorman and it proved a masterstroke.
Gary McCabe left his man chasing a shadow before laying it back to Dylan Hayes - making his league debut at the Carlisle Grounds - whose first-time cross was met by wee Dan McKenna and the on-loan Wolves man managed to bend his header beyond the despairing dive of Lawrence Vigouroux.
It was Hayes’ first league start at the Carlisle Grounds since signing from Bohemians. He was one of two alterations since the defeat to Bohemians on Friday - Kevin Lynch returned from suspension in place of Andew McGovern for the other.
Evan Moran is Bray’s second-choice goalkeeper and Graham Kelly’s heart must have been in his mouth when he went down injured after 10 minutes. Courtney Duffus threaded a pass through for Akinade but Moran was brave to dive at his feet and cut out the danger but got a stray boot to the head for his troubles. He was okay to continue.
Ex-Seagull Ismahil Akinade had a wonderful chance to level matters when Paul Keegan pinged a free kick deep into the Bray area and Akinade rose unchallenged but powered his header wide.
Bray’s hunger and ferocity saw them win a free right in the corner and while Waterford questioned the decision, Bray took it quickly to Cory Galvin and his cross was scrambled over the crossbar at the last second by Vigouroux.
The lively and incredibly hard to mark Akinade stung Moran’s fingertips with the match’s next shot on target but Moran never looked troubled by the effort.
A chipped pass forward then found Akinade who had Heaney on toast. He crossed it for strike partner Duffus who laid it onto Bastien Hery who blazed it over from a great position.
Throughout the evening, Waterford made the puzzling decision to bring back all 11 men for every corner but despite that, Dan Kelly was still given a free run and jump at McCabe’s 34th minute flag kick but he failed to hit the target.
On Friday against Bohs, it was Bray who scored on the stroke of half time but on Monday, they conceded. Keegan delivered the corner and Holohan supplied the finish to level matters.
Waterford almost grabbed the lead within the first minute of the second period as Stanley Aborah collected Paul O’Conor’s headed clearance but his curler narrowly evaded the top corner.
Both Dan Kelly and Cory Galvin were booked for simulation on Friday and on Monday - Gary McCabe went into the book for the same offence as his appeals for a penalty fell on unimpressed ears.
A fine cross from Puri should have lead to Holohan’s second goal but the midfielder planted his header wide with only Moran to beat.
Paul O’Conor was then guilty of similar at the other end as he arrived like a steam train to connect with Hayes’ neat cross but it was straight down the throat of Vigouroux who claimed it coolly.
Waterford grabbed the lead on 69 minutes and all credit must go to Courtney Duffus for the goal. There was little danger when he picked it up but he hustled and then escaped several men before rifling it to the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
But there was to be a sting in the tail for Waterford. With seconds remaining, they were set to move into second place. But then former Seagull favourite David Webster turned into a Waterford villain as he misjudged the ball and slipped. Dan Kelly was onto it like a hare and was clipped by Vigouroux in the area to give Anthony Buttimer no choice.
McCabe smashed home the spot kick,
29. Evan Moran;
12. Dylan Hayes, 4. Conor Kenna,
5. Sean Heaney, 3. Kevin Lynch; 6. Paul O’Conor, 16. Dan McKenna; 17. Daniel Kelly, 21. Gary McCabe, 7. Cory Galvin; 19. Ronan Coughlan. Subs: Adam Dempsey, Darragh Gibbons, Calvin Rogers, Andrew McGovern, Shane Flynn, Jake Ellis, Ger Pender (All not used).
Bray Wanderers:
Lawrence Vigouroux; Sander Puri, David Webster, Rory Feely, Dylan Barnett; Paul Keegan; Gavan Holohan, Bastien Hery; Stanley Aborah; Ismahil Akinade, Courtney Duffus (Dean O’Halloran, 86). Subs: Dean O’Halloran for Duffus (86). Not used: Niall Corbet, Colm Whelan, Dean Walsh, John Martin, Derek Daly, Faysel Kasmi.
Anthony Buttimer. Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Waterford FC: Referee: Venue: