UCD 2-0 Bray

[DmanDmythDledge]

Dire first half, second was a bit livelier. Goals were well taken. Decent performance- nice to pick up 2 consecutive wins.

[ForzaWexford]

Was planning on going to this but lost track of time in the UCD library of all places. Had to settle for a Battle of the Bands in the Student Bar instead!

[pineapple stu]

Goals from substitutes Derek Doyle and Conor Sammon helped UCD grind out a 2-0 win over Bray Wanderers in what was in all honesty a bit of a slog in Belfield Park on Thursday night. Manager Pete Mahon won't be complaining too much however, as after starting the season with one point from twelve, two wins in a row have moved UCD up to seventh, and theit season is now well and truly under way.

There was little to enthuse about in the opening period; Timmy Purcell should have had UCD 1-0 up after 20 minutes when he was played through by a nice flick from Paul Byrne, but his lob over the advancing Steve Williams lacked power and was easily cleared. Evan McMillan was narrowly wide with a header from an Alan Mahon free kick, while a superb pass from Bogdan sent Conan Byrne through on goal, but his finish was weak and straight at Williams. Much of Bray's attacks focussed on former Student Clive Delaney's aerial presence from set-pieces and Matt Gregg had to be alert to punch clear once or twice.

The second half livened up a bit, although it was held up early on after Clive Delaney went down injured in the Bray box; after five minutes of treatment, he rather groggily left the pitch to be substituted. Shortly after, UCD took the lead when Derek Doyle - a half-time sub for Bogdan - weaved his way past three Bray tackles to slot home past Williams.

Bray improved after that, and could have equalised when Alan Cawley sent a free inches over the bar from 25 yards, although Gregg appeared to have it covered. At the other end, a pre-worked set-piece routine saw Conan Byrne overlap well on the edge of the box, and he rifled in a shot just wide.

Alan Cawley, another ex Student, and James O'Shea were causing most of the problems Bray were giving UCD, and Cawley went close again from distance when a 25-yard snap shot went just wide, while O'Shea often needed two or three tackles before he could be disposessed. And with ten minutes to go, Bray's best chance of an equaliser came when an Alan Cawley free was headed onto the post from close range.

The game opened up more as it went on - Conor Sammon played Conan Byrne through, but he clipped over the bar, while another Sammon flick freed Derek Doyle, but Williams was out to make a superb save to touch wide. The points were wrapped up in the fourth minute of injury time though, when Sammon found himself in acres of space on the edge of the area, easily went past one tackle and planted the ball in the bottom corner of the Bray net.

UCD - Gregg; Mahon, Kenna, McMillan, McNally; Crowley, C Byrne, King, Bogdan (Doyle 45); P Byrne, Purcell (Sammon 75). Subs not used - Quigley, McFaul, Bermingham

Att - 450

[DmanDmythDledge]

Bogdan got a knock. Not too much of a concern as we have him and Doyler for left wing. Also Tuite had a shocker as always.

[Angus]

Good match report - I think we deserved the 3 points but we struggled in the first half. The positive about that first half was the fact that there was no real clear cut chance, apart from the havoc that the Big Man was creating.

Bogdan - another good performance when he was on the ball and when he was out wide - he gets muscled off it when he comes into the middle but when he is out wide with a bit of room, he is stellar.

I was very impressed by the 2 banks of 4 i.e. any time Bray got a bit of space, we very quickly create the 2 banks of four in front of the keeper. As a result, Bray, or Waterford last week, struggled to make a chance, expect for individual defensive errors.

So, 6 points with a target of another 3 from the next 2 games.

[drummerboy]

Is Ronan Finn injured?

[Poor Student]

Is Ronan Finn injured?

According to the papers, yes.

Bogdan - another good performance when he was on the ball and when he was out wide - he gets muscled off it when he comes into the middle but when he is out wide with a bit of room, he is stellar.

I'm assuming Bogdan never really played left wing before. Playing the "wrong footed" winger as it were takes a bit of getting used to as you generally end up cutting into the middle and running into a body of players. He certainly has the skill for it and he also has the skill to run towards the line and twist back around. Hopefully he'll get a chance against Kildare. As I said before he's a joy to watch against weak players.

[MyTown]

Lads, Was the game brought forward on a once off basis, or are you moving to Thursday nights for your home games from now on?

[Poor Student]

Lads, Was the game brought forward on a once off basis, or are you moving to Thursday nights for your home games from now on?

One off basis. Our Alumini dinner is tonight and it's a major club fundraiser.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Bogdan - another good performance when he was on the ball and when he was out wide - he gets muscled off it when he comes into the middle but when he is out wide with a bit of room, he is stellar.

Bogdan was crap last night. He never got past his man.

Is Ronan Finn injured?

He failed a fitness test so he should be back next week.

I'm assuming Bogdan never really played left wing before.

Played left wing against Kildare pre-season and against Drogheda.

[Poor Student]

Bogdan was crap last night. He never got past his man.

He failed a fitness test so he should be back next week.

Played left wing against Kildare pre-season and against Drogheda.

I mean career wise. He also played left wing against Waterford.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I mean career wise.

So you've been watching him since he started playing? Or do you actually have a source?

[Poor Student]

So you've been watching him since he started playing? Or do you actually have a source?

I said "I'm assuming". He doesn't look all that used to the role.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I said "I'm assuming". He doesn't look all that used to the role.

Surely it make more sense to assume that he's a left winger as he is playing there and that our two best wingers haven't played together.

Don't know how he doesn't look used to the role just because he had one bad game.

[Poor Student]

Playing on the wing opposite to your strong foot is an unusual role. It takes a bit of getting used to and he doesn't look as used to it as other players I've seen in that role. I don't think he's doing badly or anything.