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Date Time League Season
24 February 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's First Division 2023

Match Report

Bray End Four Year Wait To Win Opening Two League Ties

For the first time since 2019, Bray Wanderers have won their opening two leagues games in the season, overcoming Kerry FC in their first away fixture in the first division.

Two headers from centre half Cole Omorehiomwan proved crucial for Ian Ryan’s men, with striker Chris Lyon’s strike in between. For Kerry, their bright spark Leo Gaxha slotted away his effort well as the Tralee side scored their first ever goal in League of Ireland football, although they still await their first points of the campaign.

A Cole Omorehiomwan inspired Bray Wanderers sent Kerry FC home and resigned to two losses on the bounce in their maiden voyage in the First Division to the Carlisle Grounds. Ian Ryan’s side have had a perfect start to the season, the best they have had since 2019. 

Bray had a flurry of chances in the first 15 minutes, with Chris Lyons flashing a shot across goal and Jake Walker firing an attempt over from a difficult angle. They finally opened the scoring on the 16th minute however, when an unmarked Cole Omorehiomwan headed low into the corner to give the Seagulls the lead. The home side were forced into an early change in the 24th as left back Len O’Sullivan came off injured for Jack Hudson, with captain Massey moving out wide. 

Kerry’s best chance of the first half came from their bright spark, Leo Gaxha, who received a lovely cross from Kennedy but found his effort blocked superbly by Bray right-back Max Murphy.

 The second half exploded to life with three goals in the opening 15 minutes. First, Chris Lyons stooped down low to head an excellent Ger Shortt cross past the dive of Guthrie. Then, only two minutes later, Leo Gaxha, the liveliest player for the Tralee side, found himself through 1 on 1 with Moody and he slotted through the Bray keeper’s legs. Bray kept pushing though and Guthrie produced an outstanding save from Walker, However the resulting corner was an almost carbon copy of the first goal, Crowley the provider as Omorehiomwan headed home for the second time on the evening. 

Kerry huffed and puffed afterwards but to no real avail and Bray soaked up their pressure and dealt well, finding opportunities to counter. Kerry’s best chance in the last 15 came through substitute Nathan Gleeson who found himself through on goal only to fire his effort straight at Alex Moody. 

The Tralee side still await there first points on the board but the opening goal in their history in this league is sure to remain in fan’s minds. As for Bray, they now face a difficult test to continue their 100% record, a long journey north to Ballybofey next week to play Finn Harps.

Bray Wanderers

1Alex Moody Goalkeeper
3Len O’Sullivan 4 Defender
7Conor Crowley 22 Midfielder
8Harry Groome Midfielder 73'
9Chris Lyons 10 Forward 48'
12Cole Omorehiomwan Defender 16', 57'
14Dane Massey Defender
18Max Murphy Midfielder
19Jake Walker 15 Forward
21Guillermo Almirall 6 Midfielder 59'
11Ger Shortt Forward
2Eoin Farrell Forward
4Jack Hudson 3 Defender
6Luka Lovic 21 Midfielder
10Conor Davis 9 Forward
15Ben Feeney 19 Forward
16Callum Thompson Forward
20Conor Knight Midfielder
22Joe Power 7 Midfielder
25Stephen McGuinness Goalkeeper

Kerry FC

1Wayne Gutherie Goalkeeper
3Sean O’Connell Midfielder
4Shane Gutherie Defender
5Kalen Spillane 18 Defender
7Seán McGrath Forward
8Matt Keane Midfielder
10Leo Gaxha Forward 50'
36'
11Sean Kennedy 26 Midfielder
14Andy Quaid 23 Midfielder
15Kevin Williams Defender
20Trpimir Vrljicak 17 Forward
6Alex Ainscough Midfielder
16Callan Scully Goalkeeper
17Nathan Gleeson 20 Forward
18Samuel Aladesanusi 5 Defender
23Ronan Teahan 14 Midfielder
24Jonathan Hannafin Defender
26Steven McCarthy 11 Forward
27Graham O’Reilly Midfielder
28Cian Brosnan Forward
  • 94'

    It's full time here at the Carlisle Grounds and Bray pick up a deserved three points, beating Kerry FC 3-1. It's a trip north next for the Seagulls to play Finn Harps while Kerry next host Treaty United. Thanks for joining me tonight, Gary Dowling.

  • 90'

    Four minutes of added time here at the Carlisle Grounds

  • 87'

    A chance for Kerry as Gleeson finds himself through on goal but his shot is straight at Moody who saves easily.

  • 82'

    Stephen McCarthy replaces Sean Kennedy for Kerry FC.

  • 62'

    Two subs for Bray now as Ben Feeney and Luka Jovic replace Gillermo Almirall and Jake Walker.

  • 57'

    Bray score another in this frantic first 15 of the second half and it's Omorehiomwan again. Another lovely corner from Crowley and he heads into the top corner.

  • 54'

    Two more changes for Kerry as Spillane and Quaid are replaced by Teahan and Aladesanusi.

  • 50'

    Or is it? The game now has sprung to life as Kerry pull one back. Gaxha, Kerry's bright spot finds himself 1v1 and slots through Moody's legs. Game back on!

  • 48'

    Bray double their lead through a brilliant stooping header from their number 9 Chris Lyons! A lovely cross from Shortt and it's comfortable now for Bray.

  • 45'

    We're back underway here at the Carlisle Grounds as Kerry make a substitute up top with Vrljcak making way for Nathan Gleeson.

  • 48'

    And that brings the first half to an end. Both sides have at times threatened but Bray have had the better of them and have the all important opener through Cole Omorehiomwan.

  • 48'

    Booked near the edge of the box for foul.

  • 45'

    Three minutes added on here at the end of the first 45.

  • 43'

    Kerry's first big chance falls to Leo Gaxha as a deep cross from Kennedy lands at his feet. His effort is then superbly blocked by Max Murphy.

  • 36'

    A high boot challenge in the middle of the park results in our first booking for Kerry.

  • A quieter spell now in the game as Kerry try to get back into the game, having looked threatening in the opening period.

  • An early substitution is forced upon Bray as Len O'Sullivan is replaced by Jack Hudson.

  • 16'

    And it's Bray Wanderers who open the scoring through Cole Omorehiomwen in the 16th minute. A deep corner from Crowley to the backpost finds the centre half unmarked and he heads it down into the bottom corner.

  • A freekick on the edge of the box for Kerry is gathered easily by Moody while up the other end, Walker fires over from a tight angle.

  • 10 minutes in and both sides have had there fair share of possession. Bray still with the only real chance but Kerry have looked lively down their left hand side through Gaxha.

  • First big chance of the game goes Bray's way. A lovely ball over the top for Shortt who scares to the edge of the box where Lyons just drags his shot wide across Guthrie's left hand post.

  • And we're underway here at the Carlisle Grounds. The home side playing from left to start and immediately give away a free kick out far left for Kerry.

  • Match officials tonight are referee Kevin O'Sullivan, linesmen are David Berry and Mark Patchell and 4th official Paul Norton.

  • The teams are in. Bray name an unchanged side from their win over Treaty United. Kerry make two changes from their opening defeat with Andy Quaid and Leonardo Gaxha in for Graham O'Reilly and Ronan Teahan.

  • Good evening and welcome to a nippy Carlisle Grounds where hosts Bray Wanderers play Kerry FC in their maiden away trip of the season. I am Gary Dowling and I will be updating you this evening.

Ground

Carlisle Grounds
Carlisle Grounds, Seapoint Road, Bray No 2, The Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Leinster, A98 T9D9, Ireland

This second year journalism student in Dublin City University has an avid Soccer and League of Ireland fan since his first visit to the Carlisle Grounds over a decade ago.