Bray Wanderers 6 - 3 Athlone Town

FAI

Bray win nine-goal thriller

Bray Wanderers booked their place in the draw for the third round of the FAI Carlsberg Cup on August 5 when coming from behind twice to eventually see off the challenge of Athlone Town in Friday night's nine goal thriller at the Carlisle Grounds.

The Seagulls had the perfect start on just three minutes when midfielder Stephen Fox shot home from 12 yards after a corner from Colm James on the right caused total confusion in the Athlone defence. But in this roller-coaster opening 45 minutes the Midlanders were level within just 60 seconds.

Clever approach work by Andy Mullen and and Damien Rushe set up the opening for Stephen Gavin to drill the ball home with his right foot from 22 yards. And it was that man Gavin again on 15 minutes after an Alan Kelly header was knocked down by Mullen for the winger to strike his second goal from the edge of the box.

But Bray were level on 24 minutes when a long ball out of defence from 'keeper Chris O'Connor allowed Fox to present winger Ciaran Ryan the opportunity to set up the chance for veteran striker Kieran 'Tarzan' O'Brien to lob 'keeper Dave Moran from 22 yards.

Astonishingly, Athlone with just one First Division win in 15 games this season - and that was a 2-0 triumph against Bray on May 10 last at St.Mels Park, grabbed the lead again on 25 minutes. This time striker Michael McCann was on target from 15 yards when winger Gavin crossed from the left. Keeper O' Connor allowed the ball to run loose and McCann punished the Bray defence with a perfect finish.

There was to be no end to the remarkable first half scoring spree with Bray level again on 40 minutes. Defender Colm Tresson played a neat ball to striker Eamon Zayed who then produced a moment of magic to loft the ball over the visitors' defence. Ryan was the recipient of that splendid piece of inspiration and duly fired home from 20 yards.

Bray's experience eventually told in the second half when first Fox found the unmarked Zayed on the right. After a clever turn, his precision finish from 14 yards gave 'keeper Moran no chance. And it was curtains for a brave, young Athlone side when Tresson ran from half-way to curl the ball over Moran from the edge of the box on 70 minutes..

Zayed then made victory absolutey certain for the Seagulls with his second goal when "Man of the Match" Wesley Charles burst out of defence and set up Bray's sixth goal on 82 minutes when laying on a perfect pass for Irish Under 20 international Zayed to rifle past Moran and complete a memorable night of goal-scoring exploits.

Teams:
Bray Wanderers: O'Connor, Tresson, Charles, Lynch, Farrell; Long, James, Fox, Ryan; Zayed, O'Brien.
Subs: Flood for Farrell (75 mins.), Lawless for Long (85 mins.). O'Hanlon for Lynch (89 mins._

Athlone Town: Moran; O'Brien, Frawley, Jackson, A.Kelly; Rush, Collins, S.Kelly, Gavin; McCann, Mullen.
Subs: Nibbs for Mullen (77 mins.), Shine for Collins (80 mins.),

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

How in the name of christ an we score 3 away from home and
still get hammered!?!??

Anyone at the game? We we any use at all? How did Maurice
Farrell play for them - former Town players usually play well
agianst us!

Anyone know how Connauhgton is getting on? Is he pushing
Moran for the starting line up?

Is Martin Reilly worth his place? Any sign of a new defence?
Dont really seem to have replaced Conor!

Sorry for all the questions - just back from the MCG and got the
Tonw result texted to me.
I was at the Melbourne Demons -v- Essengton Bombers in the AFL Premiership (Aussie Rules).

Classic encounter with the Bombers winning in the end after
Melbourne ran them ragged in the 3rd quarter.

Lashed rain for the last 2 quarters and I got soaked - ah just like
Mels :p Some massive scraps during the game too!

Heading to Sydney Monday so opefully get to see a bit of soccer
with the Olympic Sharks!