Full-Time: Cockhill 1 – Bray 3
Ulster Senior League champions and Intermediate Cup runners-up Cockhill Celtic hosted League of Ireland Division One side Bray Wanderers at the Charlie O Donnell Sports grounds in this first-round FAI Senior cup clash.
The pitch was in excellent condition but unfortunately weather conditions didn’t match that with rain making the surface very slippery and difficult for players throughout.
Cockhill had an early chance when Corey McBride played a couple of quick-fire passes with Garbhan Friel and Luke Rudden around the edge of the box which caused a bit panic in the Bray defence and they were happy to concede just a corner.
In the third minute Bray keeper Alex Moody failed to deal properly with a ball from a free-kick and was lucky to be able to regain possession when Oisin McColgan followed up.
Bray settled to the task and took the lead in the 24th minute. Chris Lyons did well down the left side and his low cross found Ben Feeney in the box, the striker had plenty to do but after turning a couple of defenders with some neat footwork he drilled a super shot past Ciaran Gallagher, 0-1 to Bray Wanderers.
Ten minutes later, what had been a competitive game looked pretty much over as a contest as Bray scored twice in two minutes to go 0-3 in front.
Cockhill Celtic V Bray Wanderers. North West Newspix
Cockhill Celtic V Bray Wanderers. North West Newspix
In the 32nd minute Callum Thompson did brilliantly on the left and his low cross was hammered to the roof net by Chris Lyons and two minutes later Thompson scored a delightful third for the visitors, beating Gallagher from distance with a super curling measured effort.
Cockhill to their credit fought back and got a lifeline in the 40th minute when keeper Moody again failed to deal with Fionn McClure’s corner, pushing it into the net to leave it 1-3 to Bray at halftime.
Cockhill started the second half with intent and forced a corner which Corey McBride took, Peter Doherty flicked on and Garbhan Friel just failed to get the vital touch at the far post.
The home side were having the better of things with much more urgency about their play and again went close in the 63rd minute, Friel and McBride combining to create a chance for Luke Rudden who shot over from a good position.
They had another great chance in the 80th minute when some loose defending allowed Garbhan Friel to pounce but when he delayed his shot keeper Moody was able to smother the ball, another let-off for the visitors.
Peter Doherty also went close with a good header late in the game but it was cleared for another corner.
Cockhill Celtic V Bray Wanderers. North West Newspix
Cockhill Celtic V Bray Wanderers. North West Newspix
Cockhill cleared the bench to inject some fresh legs and they continued to be the better team but those two goals in two minutes just after the half-hour stage proved to be the vital moments of this game as Bray held on to win 1-3 and advance to the next round of FAI Senior Cup.
With the demise of the Ulster Senior League Cockhill face a return to Junior football after dominating Intermediate football in Donegal for the last ten years.
Cockhill Celtic: Ciaran Gallagher, Lee McLaughlin, Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan ( Jason Breslin 55mins), Nathan Logue ( Christopher McLaughlin ( h/t), Luke Rudden (Caolan McColgan 67mins), James Bradley, Garbhan Friel, Corey McBride ( Steve Duffy 80mins ) Fionn McClure ( Adam McLaughlin 80mins).,
Bray Wanderers ; Alex Moody, Max Murphy, Len O Sullivan, Dave Webster, Conor Crowley ( Darren Craven ( 73mins ), Harry Groome ( Sean Quinn 60mins), Ben Feeney ( Yousef Mahdy 60mins), Chris Lyons, Cole Omorehiamwan, Guillermo Almirall, Callum Thompson ( Gerard Shortt 73mins).
Referee ; Paul Norton.
