Rathnew AFC C and A will meet in Cup final
Seagulls jump up to seventh in Premier table
DAVE SCULLY’S new lease of life brought Dundalk’s charge to an end as his goal knocked them down to third and lifted Bray Wanderers to seventh in the process.
Scully netted two league goals in 37 outings for previous club Bohemians. Nine league games for the Seagulls have already yielded four goals for the Dubliner and his latest was a significant one as it earned the Seasiders their third league win of the campaign.
It was with 65 minutes on the clock that Scully struck the telling blow. Corner kicks have been extremely fruitful for Bray this year and on this occasion, it was Graham Kelly’s delivery that found Scully, and his powerful header left the Lilywhites with no chance.
Friday’s win saw Alan Mathews side make it seven points from their last four matches, no mean feat at all considering the injury crisis that has engulfed the Carlisle Grounds club recently. But there was also positive news on that front this week, with Eric McGill, Adam Hanlon and Shane Byrne all making the squad; meaning just Danny O’Connor, Shane O’Connor and Jake Kelly remain in the treatment room.
Hanlon and McGill had started the 2-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers five days earlier but they dropped out for the visit of Dundalk. David Webster retook his place following his suspension, while Shane O’Neill was preferred to Hanlon on the left wing.
It was O’Neill and co. that started with more urgency and hunger but it was the visitors that enjoyed the first chance; lone striker David McMillan taking the ball on his chest in full flight before forcing Stephen McGuinness into a smart save at his near post.
The frontman then latched onto Sean Gannon’s pass but his shot on the run caused McGuinness no fuss as Webster got across and blocked behind with a superb sliding challenge.
Wanderers then asked their first question of the evening midway through the first half. The roaming David Cassidy found enough room to conjure a killer pass, splitting the Dundalk defence as he sent O’Neill clear. The winger shook off Gannon and let rip from 20 yards but he was denied by a flying save from Peter Cherrie.
Despite an even first half, it was the visitors who continued to forage chances. Kurtis Byrne’s corner kick flew over the danger zone and caught Brian Gartland by surprise at the far post. He hurriedly stuck out a leg but it didn’t have sufficient power to beat McGuinness.
Ismahil Akinade tried to cash in after a poor clearance in the Dundalk rearguard but his shot was deflected away for a corner and his search for a goal rumbled on.
A Dundalk corner a minute later again found its way to the far stick. This time, former Seagull Dane Massey was waiting, but his low drive was pushed behind by McGuinness.
Akinade had another chance to break his drought when Scully released him. The striker dipped to the left and shifted to the right before unleashing a curling effort that required a superb save from Cherrie to keep the sides scoreless.
Akinade’s job is to get goals and Dean Zambra almost weighed in with one of his own on 39 minutes. Graham Kelly’s low pass found O’Neill in the area, he helped it into Zambra’s path but his effort was smothered by the outrushing Cherrie.
Dundalk had two more near misses before the break. Ruaidhri Higgins’ free kick saw Gartland’s effort parried by McGuinness. The rebound fell to McMillan but his finish lacked composure and Webster was able to thump it away off the line.
Moments after his centre half partner had saved the day, Adam Mitchell nearly undid all his side’s good work as his back header dropped onto the crossbar and over, much to the relief of McGuinness.
While Dundalk may have been encouraging in the first period, they weren’t allowed to be in the second.
Wanderers had a teaser before taking the lead. Graham Kelly delivered a cross, Scully – who was unmarked at the back stick – directed it back across goal to Akinade. His downward header seemed to be creeping in but was taken off the line by Towell.
On 65 minutes, the deadlock was broken. Graham Kelly swung in the corner from the right and Scully met it with deadly force, powering it past a sea of bodies to leave it nestling in the back of the net.
Stephen Kenny’s men had 25 minutes to salvage something but they never even got remotely close to doing so, with the Seagulls fans and players standing tall to claim three more impressive points.
Top Form: Dave Scully (Bray Wanderers): Brilliant header earned a brilliant win.