AND BREATHE, was the reaction for most Bray supporters when the final whistle was blown. It was a decent and very mature performance from a very young squad.
Just 3 minutes in, Dean O’Shea delivered the ball into the box and Norris smashed it against the post for Longford, if that goes in its a completely different game.
11 minutes later, in the 14th, after a cagey opening period, Delglemen’s free kick off the right flank deflected off the head of Eric Yoro to give The Seagulls the lead, the away supporters at Bishopsgate were buzzing. It was quite a Bray dominated rest of the half. Just before the break, Jimmy Corcoran walloped it up the pitch, and a lovely pass from Cian Curtis see two of the new signings link up, with Thomas Considine controlling the ball and scraping the post, almost doubling Bray’s advantage.
Bray took the narrow, but well deserved lead into the break through an own goal.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Longford had a chance through an Andy Spain header, but he sent it just wide of the post. This was followed by a small period of sustained pressure from De Town.
In the 58th minute, Considine had the first real chance of the half for Bray, he drove it across the ground but it was an easy enough parry away for Halwax. Just two minutes later, Bray won a free kick from 22 yards out, Costello hit it low and it took a deflection, but Halwax was quick to get down and save it.
The Longford Town supporters were awakened by a chance for Fran Campbell who, following some nice link up play between himself and norris had a strike from distance, but it was nicely gathered by Jimmy Corcoran. Longford were starting to pile on the pressure now, in the 79th minute, Norris took yet another strike from outside the box for Longford on the volley, he made great connection but it was just wide.
It was very nervy in Bishopsgate by this point from both sides, with Bray looking to hang onto their lead, and Longford, of course looking to equalise.
There was a HUGE chance late on for Longford, after a flurry in the box, O’Shea struck the bar with a beautiful strike, and a penalty claim was turned down. “WANKER WANKER WANKER” chant the Longford support, who were not happy with the decision to say the least.
The nervousness of all Bray supporters in Bishopsgate was huge after a late free kick won by Longford, it was well dealt with for Bray, thank the lord.
The Full time whistle was finally blown after what felt like a lifetime for Bray supporters, and they will take their 3 points and look foward to UCD (A) next Friday.
MOTM: Calum Costello