1 v 2 
Athlone TownVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 April 2021 | 7:30 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Byrne delivers on the double for Athlone
A four-minute goal brace from Kurtis Byrne was enough to propel Athlone Town to a 2-1 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in the SSE Airtricity First Division tonight.
The visitors looked solid throughout with their two goals coming in the 10th and 14th minutes after Bray had opening the scoring through Dylan Barnett’s 25 yard volley into the top corner of Michaél Schlingerman’s net.
Bray attempted a comeback but were eventually undone by Ryan Graydon being sent off in the 88th minute for an off the ball incident.
The opening minutes of the game were action packed, with both teams pressing the other aggressively. Athlone found early success down the right with Adam Wixted’s pace and trickery creating room for him to whip in crosses.
Despite this it was Bray who struck first in the seventh minute, with some smart play down the right wing leading to a cross that Athlone tentatively cleared into the path of left back Dylan Barnett.
He promptly smashed the ball into the top corner of Michaél Schlingerman’s net, but Bray’s lead was short lived. Three minutes later the Town were able to turn their pressure into goals.
It was Wixted that once again created the space on the right wing, before sliding the ball down the line to the overlapping Aiden Friel. Friel’s cross was perfectly placed between the keeper and centre back allowing Kurtis Byrne to swoop in and poke the ball into the net.
Not content with resting on their laurels Athlone came right back to notch another. Wixted perfectly corralled a cross-field pass, before laying it off to the oncoming Byrne who promptly smacked a beautiful shot into the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards out.
From there the game seemed to settle down with Athlone and Bray both content to settle in and close out the half that way.
In the second half, the slower pace seemed to continue with Athlone happy to keep the ball and pass around Bray, while the Seagulls wanted to do nothing but to go the direct route whenever they got the chance.
It wasn’t until the 70th minute that Wanderers finally woke up, with Ryan Graydon causing numerous problems for the Westmeath outfits defence. This led to multiple good chances with the pick of them being Luka Lovic’s 78th minute miss; where Graydon danced down the wing before sliding the ball across the six-yard box into the path of Lovic.
Lovic completely whiffed on the chance sending the ball over the bar from close range. Bray continued their assault up until the 87th minute when a Dylan Hand foul on Bray’s Connor Clifford sparked a series of brawls which ended up with Graydon being sent off.
After this Bray were unable to rally with Byrne almost hitting Bray on the counter to get the hat-trick as Athlone closed out the game to stay top of the First Division.
Timeline
| 3. Dylan Barnett | 7' | |
| 11' | 8. Kurtis Byrne | |
| 14' | 8. Kurtis Byrne | |
| 71' | Stephen Meaney Shane Barnes | |
| Steven Kinsella Joe Doyle | 72' | |
| 85' | Jamie Hollywood Brandon McCann | |
| 1. Brian Maher | 89' | |
| 6. Conor Clifford | 89' | |
| Ryan Graydon | 89' | |
| 89' | 9. Shane Barnes |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 18)
0 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Bray Wanderers |
|
(Series 9)
3 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town AFC v Bray Wanderers FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers FC v Athlone Town AFC |
7:45 pmLOI Men's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town AFC v Bray Wanderers FC |
Ground
| Carlisle Grounds |
|---|
| Carlisle Grounds, Seapoint Road, Bray No 2, The Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Leinster, A98 T9D9, Ireland |
FULL TIME! Bray's late offensive is not enough to beat out Athlone and the Town are able to take the 3 points and keep themselves top of the First Division.
No real clear reason while Graydon was sent off but Bray are down to 10 men. Athlone are able to counter but Kurtis Byrne miss a sitter to put Athlone out of sight.
Brian Maher is now also getting carded for complaning to the referee for Graydon getting send off while the initial offender, Athlone's Dylan Hand, is given a yellow card.
Ryan Graydon is given a straight red card! The referee and linesmen had a quick consultation after the initial scuffle and Graydon is summoned over to be sent off.
Dylan Hand clips Connor Clifford which results in both getting into some after the whistle shenanigans.
Athlone bring on Brandon McCann for Jamie Hollywood.
Brandon Kavanagh has a lovely first touch but sends his volley just over Schlingerman's crossbar.
Bray are starting to perk up a little with Joe Doyle making some dangerous runs into the Athlone third of the pitch.
Ryan Graydon weaves some magic down the right wing to beat his man before swing the ball perfectly across the 6 yard box. Unfortunately for Bray Luka Lovic doesn't catch it well and sends it sailing over the crossbar.
Bray bring on Joe Doyle for Stephen Kinsella after Kinsella pulls up injured
Athlone Town put on Shane Barnes
Athlone Town take off Stephen Meeney
Athlone seem to be quite content to slow the game down now and force Bray into playing faster and more aggressive.
Steven Kinsella once again looking dangerous for Bray as he cuts inside from the right before shooting directly at the keeper from 20 yards out.
Oisin Duffy
Aiden Freil
Wanderers looking very calm on the ball and seem content to play at a slower pace whereas Athlone are all action whenever they get on the ball.
James Doona breaks free from the midfield but looses control of the ball before he can get anything done in the box.
We're off for the second half! Hopefully the pace can continue between these two teams after a very entertaining first period.
Half Time! Two quick fire strikes from Kurtis Byrne have Athlone in front after a gorgeous strike from Bray's Dylan Barnett put them in front. At the Half it's Athlone Town 2 Bray Wanderers 1
Shane Barnes gets slightly over eager in the tackle and brings down Steven Kinsella.
Luka Lovic hits nothing but air as a beautiful in swinging corner lands right in the 6 yard box but Lovic can't turn it towards goal.
Yellow Card for Athlone as Derek Daly bring down Steven Kinsella
The opening salvo and seemingly subsided with both teams slowing things down as we near half time.
Adam Wixted is having his way on the right side of the pitch. Every single time he gets on the ball he looks like he can beat Dylan Barnett down the wing or cut inside to thread a pass that could cut the Seagulls defence open.
Some great work down the left flank by Athlone leads to a perfect cross to Adam Wixted but Dylan Barnett is there to provide a last gasp block to deny a shot on target.
This has been a barnstorming game so far. Both teams are going end to end at times with Athlone finding plenty of joy down the right wing.
GOAL! Athlone come storming back and it's Kurtis Byrne again hammering a first time pass from Adam Wixted into the bottom corner of the net to put Athlone up 2-1
Athlone equalize! Kurtis Byrne is there pounce after Bray are unable to clear their lines and we are all knotted up at 1-1.
GOAL! What an absolute corker from Dylan Barnett as he rifles a volley from 20 yards out into the top corner. 1-0 to Bray
Athlone Town pressuring Bray early and trying to hassle Bray's defenders in their own third of the pitch.
Here we go! Bray kick off and we're underway at the Carlisle Grounds.
15 minutes to kick off and conditions could not be better in Bray with clear skies all round.