Bray Wanderers 1
Galway United 2
A PAIR OF stupendous strikes from Eric Foley and left-back Marc Ludden sealed Galway United’s return to fifth spot following a 1-2 victory over 11th-placed Bray Wanderers.
Foley bagged a stunning free kick in the 19th minute and Ludden sealed the points with an out-of-the-blue 40-yard strike that completely caught out Seagulls goalkeeper Peter Cherrie with 14 minutes to play before Andrew Lewis managed a 91st-minute reply.
Bray should have led after three minutes. Ryan Brennan cleverly touched Hugh Douglas’ cross into Ger Pender’s path, but the striker somehow planted it wide from six yards.
The deadlock was emphatically broken when Foley slammed a free kick into the top corner from 25 yards to leave Cherrie with no chance.
Foley saw a shot kiss the post early in the second half before Bray twice struck the crossbar from crosses by Dylan Connolly and Brennan.
United safeguarded the points in the 76th minute. Kevin Devaney’s shot was blocked and flew out to Ludden on the left flank. He immediately smashed it goalwards and it arrowed to the net with Cherrie caught out of position.
The Tribesmen survived a late rally sparked by Lewis’ stoppage time volley to leapfrog St Patrick’s Athletic into fifth, while only goal difference keeps Wanderers off the foot of the table.
BRAY: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Alan McNally, Conor Kenna (C), Jason Marks; Karl Moore, Robbie Creevy, Mark Salmon (Dean Kelly, 59), Dylan Connolly; Ryan Brennan; Ger Pender (Andrew Lewis, 75).
GALWAY: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Armin Aganovic, Stephen Walsh (Kilian Cantwell, 62), Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne, Eric Foley, Kevin Devaney; Ruairi Keating (Jesse Devers, 90+4), Vinny Faherty (Paul Sinnott, 86).
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!