IrishFootballOnline.com » The unofficial and Independent Irish Football website.

Bray win scuppers Cork challenge

Friday 13th October 2006, 10:37 pm

Alan Bennett under pressure from Bray's John Broderick

Photo by Tom Carey.

Bray Wanderers secured a huge slice of revenge tonight as they defeated Cork City 2-1 at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray. Andrei Georgescu's two goals within ten minutes of the restart after half-time sent Bray on their way. Dan Murray's goal ten minutes from the end did leave the Seagulls on edge until the final whistle but Cork's faltering title hopes must now be gone.

Bray are much changed under new boss Eddie Gormley and his charges clearly had something to prove after the 6-0 mauling in Cork just two weeks ago.

James O'Shea had a shot blocked wide for a corner in the opening minutes. At the other end Chris O'Connor held onto Roy O'Donovan's dangerous shot despite the attentions of Neale Fenn.

Denis Behan's shot deflected onto the bar after a deflection off Ronan Ivory.

Photo by Tom Carey.

David Tyrell fired over after another Bray attack before John Broderick drove a shot wide after O'Shea had squared the ball from Georgescu's surging move from midfield.

Admir Softic had a shot blocked but Cork were struggling to get through a well organised back four. Mick Devine flapped at a couple of crosses into his box and was fortunate to go unpunished.

O'Donovan went as close as anyone in the first half but O'Connor got across spectacularly to save his volley.

Cork were hit by two goals inside the first 10 minutes of the second half. Georgescu scored both. The first came with a good finish after 52 minutes. He struck again on 55 minutes after an error at the back by the visitors. Georgescu's opener came after a through ball from Stephen Fox and as the Cork defence looked on, the tricky midfielder fired home. His second came after Devine failed to hold Tyrell's cross into the box with Georgescu slotting home at the near post.

Joe Gamble controls under the watchful eye of Bray's Paul Caffrey.

Photo by Tom Carey.

O'Connor made a couple of great saves to deny first Billy Woods and then O'Donovan. Bray could have wrapped it up but Broderick missed the target when sent clear to battle Devine.

Cork made the changes but there was little new in the plan. Denis Behan came in for Fenn while Brian O'Callaghan replaced Softic.

Behan's shot caused problems on 75 minutes but after looping a shot off the challenge of Ronan Ivory, the ball hit the top of the bar and went over.

Ivory did brilliantly moments later as he tackled back to dispossess Billy Woods. He and his fellow defenders could do nothing moments later to prevent Murray from drilling the ball home from Woods' cross.

Bray's David Tyrell holds up possession under pressure from Colin O'Brien.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Bray held on under pressure and could have made sure of their first win since June. Tyrell lobbed against the bar before Georgescu blazed wide with a hat-trick waiting to be completed.

Cork couldn't get the second goal back though and now a top two finish seems out of their reach.

Bray Wanderers : O'Connor, Tresson, Ivory, M Roche, O'Reilly, Fox, Georgescu, D Tyrell, Caffrey, O'Shea (Cousins 87), Broderick (O'Brien 75).
Cork City : Devine, Murphy, Cillian Lordan, Bennett, Murray, O'Brien, Woods, Gamble, Softic (B O'Callaghan 71), Fenn (Behan 63), O'Donovan.