Shamrock Rovers 1
Bray Wanderers 0
PAT FENLON’S UNBEATEN home record as Shamrock Rovers manager remains intact tonight after the Hoops overcame Bray Wanderers in Tallaght Stadium.
Despite the loss, however, the Seagulls remain five points clear of the relegation zone after both Athlone and UCD also suffered defeats in tonight’s round of matches.
A subdued Tallaght Stadium watched the visitors almost score in the opening minute when David Cassidy’s header at the back post was deflected just wide of the goal.
Thankfully for the home crowd the Hoops assumed control after that, and Dean Kelly forced Stephen McGuinness into the first save of the night with a header from six-yards.
Kilduff then had two efforts on the Bray goal, with McGuinness saving the first shot before brilliantly tipping over the striker’s header five minutes later.
Before tonight’s clash Rovers had scored less goals at home than every other team except for UCD and Bray, and they needed several attempts before eventually finding the back of the net.
With three minutes left in the opening half McCabe played the ball into Kilduff and he set up Sean O’Connor who carved out a wonderful curling shot from the edge of the box that found the top corner.
Bray did show glimpses of why they have only lost one out of their last six games in the league in the first half, but they lacked composure in the final third.
In the second half Kilduff shot straight at McGuinness with an hour on the clock, and Bray’s Adam Hanlon then had to leave the pitch with what appeared to be a serious injury when he clashed with Ryan Brennan.
McGuinness was superb between the sticks for the visitors, and he denied Madden, Kilduff and substitute Karl Sheppard before Wanderers created their best scoring chance of the half.
Jake Kelly flashed the ball across the Rovers six-yard box, but Cassidy could not connect, and Marty-Waters then struck the post for Rovers with two minutes of injury-time remaining.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Hyland, Madden, Cornwall, Kenna, Byrne, Robinson, Brenna, McCabe, Kelly (Sheppard 70), Kilduff, S O’Connor (Marty-Waters 70). Substitutes: O’Malley, Osam, Cregg, Bayly, Finn, Marty-Waters, Sheppard
BRAY WANDERERS: McGuinness, Mitchell, Barker, Maloney, McGill, Zambra, Cassidy, G Kelly, Scully (McDonagh 79), J Kelly, Hanlon (Hughes 65). Substitutes: Sheridan, Hughes, O’Neill, McDonagh, Rossi, Noble, Walsh.
