Seagulls rise to the top of the table
Bray come from behind for victory
BRAY WANDERERS ATHLONE TOWN 2 1
THE view down by the seaside is looking pretty good for Bray Wanderers as they came from behind to climb to the top of the table.
Adam Lennon gave the visitors a surprise lead on Monday evening but Bray replied with a quick-fire double and there was only going to be one winner after that.
Callum Thompson added some gloss to the scoreline with his first goal for the club in the second period.
With their slaying of Cabinteely just 72 hours fresh in their minds, those associated with Bray Wanderers probably expected another three points against the division’s bottom side. They probably didn’t anticipate falling behind but that’s what happened when Tristan Noack Hoffman seemed to misread the ball and his missed interception saw Athlone winger Adam Lennon clean through. His low finish at the near post mean a rare evening without a clean sheet for Brian Maher.
Athlone attacker Ronan Manning has been receiving rave reviews for his performances in 2020 and he showed a few examples as to why on Monday evening. One such occasion saw him collect a pass from Tumelo Toiu and his first touch allowed him to take the ball beyond his man and spin into a shooting position. The shot disappointed though as it flew over.
Gary Cronin has developed a corner kick routine that has been waxed lyrically about in these pages before. The taker rolls it to Dylan Barnett who takes it in his stride as he heads away from goal. All eyes are on him and not the taker, who takes a direct route towards the box and collects the ball when Barnett deceives all with a back-heel. It was then shipped to Graydon who almost took the net off with his thunderous strike.
Wanderers struck once again
with the iron still hot. Callum Thompson collected the latter part of a one-two with John Ross Wilson as he hared into the space down the right flank. His missile-like cross struck Gary Shaw at the back post and Shaw almost got lucky but Aaron Myles clawed it away and Athlone kicked it into the stand.
From the throw-in though, Barnett played a give-and-go with Daly and took advantage of Athlone being stretched as he made his way into the box before drilling it across the face of goal and fining the bottom corner.
A Franz Beckenbauer inspired jaunt forward saw Athlone sit off Killian Cantwell so the marauding centre half took the bait and made it as far as the penalty area but his cross/shot was well held by Myles.
Wanderers wanted that insurance strike and thought they’d have a chance from the spot when
Callum Thompson went to ground as an Athlone defender put their hands on his back. Referee Connolly immediately put the whistle to his lips but then withdrew it just as quickly as he turned on his heel and chased the play. Gary Cronin was bemused to say the least.
It always looked the more likely scenario that Bray would add their lead rather than Athlone would extinguish it - a corner kick from David Brookes that zipped across the area and avoided everyone was their most menacing moment.
Bray’s nerves were eased (and their goal difference added to) when Thompson was unmarked to allow Wilson’s throw to bounce across his body and he caught with a beaut of a half-volley on the left peg that flew into the net in a most satisfying fashion.
The Seagulls should have made it four just a minute later when Shaw was played in but the standin skipper’s weak effort didn’t trouble Myles.
It was another very satisfying evenings work for the Seagulls as another three goals and another three points sees them join Drogheda United at the top of the table.
Brian Maher; John Ross Wilson, Killian Cantwell, Tristan Noack Hoffman, Dylan Barnett; Callum Thompson, Luka Lovic, Jack Watson, Derek Daly; Ryan Graydon; Gary Shaw. Subs: Sean McEvoy for Watson (56); Aaron Barry for Daly (56); Darragh Lynch for Noack Hoffman (78); Cian Maher for Thompson (88). Not used: Enda Minogue, Don Franklin Ogbeifun.
Aaron Myles; Tumelo Tiou, Scott Delaney, Ciaran Grogan, David Brookes; Adam Lennon, Taner Arman Dougan, Mark Birrane, Jack Reynolds; Ronan Manning; Dean George. Subs: Bradley Okaijda for George (77); Jordan Carr for Reynolds (77); Evan White for Arman Dougan (80); Jordan Carroll for Birrane (80); Evan O’Connor for Grogan (86). Not used: Darcy Lawless, John Morgna.
Ben Connolly