Bray Wanderers 0
Bohemians 5
ALL EYES WERE on Salvador for Spain v Holland in the World Cup to see Holland rout Spain but, not to be outdone, Bohemians racked up five goals of their own as they ran out 5-0 winners over Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
It was Dinny Corcoran who summoned his inner Robin Van Persie with a superb hat trick to leave Bray fans stunned.
Corcoran registered his first of the night after just six minutes from the spot, his second by guiding home Anto Murphy’s knock back from a corner while his third again from the spot after Bray goalkeeper Shane Redmond brought him down and was subsequently red carded.
The striker nearly had a fourth only for Robert Maloney to turn it into his own net after trying in vain to block it.
The rout was completed with a neat finish from Keith Buckley who turned in a Paddy Kavanagh cross.
The win gives Bohemians some respite after nine matches without a win so they enter the summer break just 1 point behind opponents Bray Wanderers tonight.
In contrast, Bray have now gone four games without a win and this being their heaviest defeat of the season.
Bohemians were keen to replicate their cup form which saw them pick up a 2-1 win away to Limerick last week and his side duly delivered after six minutes when Keith Buckley won a penalty after a neat one two with Corcoran left Bray defender Robert Maloney with no choice but to haul Buckley down.
The Bohemians striker confidently stepped up and slotted away to settle his side into the contest but ultimately put them in control four minutes later when he got on the end of a well worked corner with Anto Murphy heading back across the six yard box for Corcoran to guide home at ease.
The striker wasn’t finished though. He combined with the excellent Eoin Wearen who cut open the Bray defence with a brilliant pass to leave Corcoran one v one with a stranded goalkeeper who, out of desperation, pulled Corcoran down leaving referee Paul McLoughlin with no choice but to award a penalty.
Corcoran nearly grabbed a fourth just before half time but a wicked deflection of defender Maloney meant Corcoran had to contend with just the hat trick for his night’s work.
The second half gave Bray some room to work with as Bohemians eased up but a fifth goal from Buckley killed any Bray momentum when the nippy winger got on the end of a superb Paddy Kavanagh cross to slot home a well worked goal.
In truth, it was no more than the northside team deserved as they ran riot in Bray with home boss, Alan Mathews, left with a lot to ponder going into the summer break.
Bray: Redmond; O’Connor, McGill, O’Connor, Maloney; Hanlon (S Byrne, 74), Cassidy, Zambra, O’Neill; Scully (Kelly, 45), Akinade (Sheridan (GK), 25).
Bohemians: Delany; Murphy, Price, D Byrne, Memery (J Byrne, 79); Kavanagh, Lopes, Wearen, Buckley; Corcoran (Hyland 84), Devaney (K Moore, 74).
Premier Division results:
Shamrock Rovers 0 – 2 Cork City
Dundalk 0 – 0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Limerick 2 – 1 UCD
Sligo 2 – 2 Derry
Athlone 6 — 0 Dundalk