Match Report – Kerry FC v Bray Wanderers

REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION

MATCHDAY 24: KERRY FC 3-3 BRAY WANDERERS

Kerry FC were back at home after the longest trip of the season last week when they played Finn Harps in Ballybofey. A narrow loss in that one meant a long trip back for the boys on Friday morning. It was a competitive game with both teams having their fair share of chances, but the home side from Donegal prevailed and claimed all three points. Ronan Teahan came close by hitting the upright and Aaron O’Sullivan made some great saves to keep the score close, but it was not enough on the night unfortunately.

The last time out against Bray Wanderers was at the Carlisle Grounds as Kerry were defeated 2-0. Goals from Cristian Magerusan and Peter Grogan claimed Bray’s sixth win out of six against Kerry FC since the Kingdom’s first appearance in the league last season. Kerry would be hopeful of going one better and picking up at least a point against the Seagulls as Kerry are now four games undefeated at home. This was extended thanks to the late Ryan Kelliher equaliser two weeks ago against Wexford FC.

New signing Oran Crowe was a part of the squad for the clash and MU20’s player Bobby Amadasun made the step up to the senior team for the first time. The two debutants hoped to come on and make an instant impact in front of the home faithful in Tralee.

First Half:
Kerry FC started the game well on top and after just three minutes Nathan Gleeson took the ball around Stephen McGuinness in the Bray goal, he passed the ball out to Sean McGrath whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. The subsequent corner came to nothing but it was a fantastic start from the home side.

Just five minutes later Ryan Kelliher had the ball in the back of the net but was given offside. There were a few shouts that the linesman had made the wrong decision but he stood his ground and stuck to his decision. In a mad first ten minutes, Cian Brosnan had a shout for a penalty for a slight nudge in the back. Play was waved on and was probably the right decision as there was very minimal contact.

For a crazy opening ten minutes from the Kingdom where they were by far the better team, they got their reward through Ryan Kelliher. A lovely intricate ball from Cian Brosnan down the channel opened up Ryan to be one-on-one with McGuinness. A slight touch around the Bray keeper from Kelliher was enough to put Kerry FC one goal to the good.

Ten minutes after going a goal ahead Kerry were awarded a penalty when Ryan Kelliher was amongst the action again when Max Murphy clipped Kelliher inside the area. Mark Moynihan had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Ryan made no mistake when slotting it home into the bottom right corner. McGuinness was close to getting there but the power was too much for Bray’s number one. Just twenty-three minutes into the game Kerry FC were in dreamland.

The dream had a dent in it though because just four minutes after Kerry’s second goal, Bray got one back. Darren Craven received a fizzed pass into his feet from twenty-five yards out, he took one touch and thumped it into the bottom left corner giving Bray hope. The hope was doubled just a minute later when Harry Groome equalised just two minutes later. He received the ball on the half turn and had plenty of space and time to think about his shot before finding the bottom left corner.

On the stroke of half time, Nathan Gleeson nearly got Kerry back ahead when his lobbed effort from twenty yards out hit the top of the crossbar and fell kindly into the arms of McGuinness. The half-finished two a piece in a game that was breathtaking for the neutral.

Second Half:
Eleven minutes after the restart Kerry FC were on the front foot and got back in front thanks to a club first ever hat-trick courtesy of number nine Ryan Kelliher. Bray were caught out at the back and a simple pass played Kelliher through on goal. The composure shown on display to take the ball around the keeper and finish with his weaker foot was nothing short of top-class from the Killarney man who writes his name into the history books.

The joy and jubilation was evident in and around the ground in admiration for the club’s leading goal scorer. Unfortunately, the jubilant atmosphere was short-lived as substitute Ben Feeney equalised with a free header into the bottom corner. It was very disappointing to go level again after all the hard work was undone because of a free header inside the area.

There were very few opportunities in the final fifteen and it finished in a stalemate. On one hand an unbelievable night for Ryan Kelliher but on the other three points should have been grasped. Kerry FC will take the point and move on as they head into the second round of the FAI Cup next week when they take on Cobh Ramblers in St. Colman’s Park looking to start a fresh cup campaign in style with a win.