Athlone Town’s unbeaten start to the season was ended at the hands of Bray Wanderers.
Bray Wanderers 2
Athlone Town 1
Gareth Danaher reports from the Carlisle Grounds
Bray Wanderers came from behind to claim a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Athlone Town at the Carlisle Grounds on a chilly Friday night, overturning a second-half deficit to secure all three points in front of 1,049 supporters on the Wicklow coast.
The opening period was a tight and tactical affair, with both sides probing without creating many clear-cut chances.
Bray began with a spell of early possession, with Conor Knight and Ben McCormack attempting to dictate the tempo through midfield, while Billy O’Neill provided a physical outlet up front.
Athlone, however, looked dangerous on the counter-attack and relied on the movement of Patrick FerryPto stretch the Bray defence.
Despite promising moments at either end, goalkeepers Jimmy Corcoran and Brendan Clarke were rarely called into serious action before the interval as the sides went in level at the break.
Photo taken by @paulbarrett2000
The match sprang to life in the second half and it was the visitors who struck first in the 62nd minute. Ferry found space inside the penalty area and finished clinically to give Athlone the lead, silencing the home crowd and handing the Midlanders a valuable advantage.
Bray responded by pushing bodies forward and increasing the tempo, with substitutes adding fresh impetus to their attack as the home side searched for a way back into the contest.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 72nd minute when Sammy drew the hosts level. The winger reacted quickest inside the box to fire home and spark renewed belief among the Bray supporters.
Momentum swung decisively in favour of the Seagulls and just five minutes later they completed the turnaround. Defender Kizenga received a beautiful weighted pass from McCormack and he powered home the decisive goal in the 77th minute.
Athlone attempted to mount a late response, but Bray’s defence held firm through the closing stages to see out the victory.
The win ensures Bray collect another important three points early in the campaign, while Athlone were left to rue the missed opportunity after leading midway through the second half.
Bray sit joint second place with Athlone with seven points.
Paul Heffernan’s men will hope to kick on with another win this coming Friday as they face UCD at the Carlisle Grounds with a kick off time at 7:45pm. If you can’t make it is also live on LOI TV.
Heffernan has made note of the terrific & loyal away support at both Treaty United & Cork. The 1985 Seagulls Supporters Club will also be running a bus to the Cobh match on Friday, 20th March with the departure time to be confirmed.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Declan Osagie, Mark Chidi, Dean O’Shea; Sean Brennan, Cian Doyle; Billy O’Neill, Ben McCormack, Conor Knight; Daniel Ring. Subs: Jamie Duggan for Chidi (59); Tyreik Sammy for Knight (59); Aime Azende Nyembo for O’Neill (82); Ryan Kelly for O’Shea (82);
Athlone Town: Brendan Clarke; Reece Webb, Oisin Hand, Evan O’Connor, Kyle O’Connor; Robert Lyons, Aaron Connolly, Brian McManus; Cillian Tollett, Patrick Ferry, Aderinsola Adewale. Subs: Andrew Stuart Trainor for Clarke (42); Gradi Lomboto for Adewale (81); Peter Grogan for Ferry (81);
Referee: Robert Dowling.
Attendance: 1,049