Shaky Bray still eyeing Europe spot
“TIS better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” – Alfred Lord Tennyson. When assessing Bray Wanderers’ season at the halfway point, this quote strikes a chord.
Had Bray not gone on a fourgame winning streak that saw them claim the scalps of Dundalk, Derry City and Shamrock Rovers, had Bray not been cruising in second place, had Bray not been tearing sides apart at will, would Seagulls fans be complaining to be sitting a mere, single point outside of a European place? The answer; probably not.
The Co. Wicklow club are now victims of their very own recent success and their season was summed up in 90 crazy minutes at the Marketsfield in Co. Limerick on Friday evening.
Bray’s defence coughed up two goals inside the opening 20 minutes. Refusing to wilt, they were level by the 24th minute – a mark of just how lethal their attack can be.
They would cede again before half time, restore parity again by the 70th minute but would fall to two late strikes.
Harry Kenny made three alterations from the side that fell in Tallaght; Kevin Lynch replaced Karl Moore at left-back, Keith Buckley reclaimed right-back from John Sullivan and Darragh Noone replaced Ger Pender meaning a return to a striking role for Aaron Greene.
Ex-Cork livewire Chiedozie Ogbene was being tried in a striking role for the hosts and following a brace in the opening 18 minutes, it can be declared a success.
His first arrived on 13 minutes. He seemed to have come out second best in a tackle but suddenly emerged with the ball, surged past Kenna and rifled a shot past Peter Cherrie.
Cherrie had to be alert to deny a second as he turned Rodrigo Tosi’s header around the post but he was to concede a second and it would take all of three more minutes to arrive.
Ogbenne received a pass from Bastien Hery, he zipped in off the right flank, sold a dummy with his left and stroked the ball into the net. He can be a frustrating player but in that moment he showed his potential.
Bray were well and truly on the ropes after that blow but they offered an immediate response as hesitation in the Limerick defence allowed Ryan Brennan to curl home.
A fine run from Dylan Connolly offered an opening for Greene but Hall wasn’t to be beaten on that occasion. Limerick partially cleared the resulting defender but the danger remained and Brennan added an assist to his armoury as he chipped the ball back in and Greene nodded home against his former club.
Limerick lost three men to injury on the night. Shaun Kelly was the first to raise the white flag in the 33rd minute and by the 35th, his replacement, Dean Clarke, had created his side’s third.
He played a one-two with striker Rodrigo Tosi and his floated cross was headed past Cherrie by the Brazilian.
Three almost became four when Tosi again got his forehead to the ball but this time he clipped the crossbar as opposed to found the net.
At half time, Limerick were forced into a change between the sticks and five minutes into the second period, Shane Tracy replaced Tommy Robson. Wanderers only made two changes in the tie and both were tactical and the equalising goal would be produced five minutes after John Sullivan and Karl Moore’s introduction. Ryan Brennan could again claim an assist as it was he that was felled to allow Gary McCabe to stroke his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
As the league’s second highest goalscorers who, in McCabe, boast the second highest goalscorer, a leveller was always likely. A winner was plausible too but Connolly spurned the chance as he scuffed his effort when clean through on goal in the 81st minute.
Unfortunately, as the league’s second leakiest defence, the concession of a fourth was also a distinct possibility and so it would prove. Paul O’Conor saw his shot blocked but it fell to Bastien Hery to drill home from 22 yards through a cluster of bodies.
Goal number 31 of the season (meaning an average of 1.72 goals conceded per match) was quick to follow. Tosi’s pass failed to find Lee-J Lynch but Clarke was alert and reacted to squeeze a shot past Cherrie to finally seal three points for his side.
As Bray now enjoy some vital rethinking and refuelling time, they do so knowing that they managed just six points from the last 24 available and mustered just a single victory from their last eight fixtures.
Scorers - Limerick FC 5 (Ogbene 13, 18, Tosi 35, Hery 87, D. Clarke 89), Bray Wanderers 3 (Brennan 19, Greene 24, McCabe pen 70).
Limerick: 1. Freddy Hall; 2. Shaun Kelly, 3. Robbie Williams,
19. Tommy Robson; 5. David O’Connor, 15. Tony Whitehead; 6. Paul O’Conor, 32. Bastien Hery, 7. Lee-J Lynch; 21. Chiedozie Ogbene, 10. Rodrigo Tosi. Subs: Dean Clarke for Kelly (33); Brendan Clare for Hall (H/T); Shane Tracy for Robson (50). Not used: Garbhan Coughlan, Ian Turner, Stephen Kenny, Chris Mulhall.
Bray Wanderers: 1. Peter Cherrie; 6. Keit Buckley, 4. Conor Kenna, 21. Tim Clancy, 19. Kevin Lynch; 8. Mark Salmon, 22. Darragh Noone; 7. Ryan Brennan, 11. Gary McCabe, 16. Dylan Connolly;
9. Aaron Greene. Subs: John Sullivan for Lynch (64); Karl Moore for Salmon (64). Not used: Lee Steacy, Derek Foran, Hugh Douglas, Ger Pender, Anthony Flood. Referee: Anthony Buttimer. Venue: Markets Field, Limerick.