REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 31: Kerry FC 0-1 Bray Wanderers
On Friday night, Kerry FC welcomed Bray Wanderers to Mounthawk Park for their third-to-last home game of the season as the race for the playoffs was massively heating up.
The last time the sides faced each other was on the final day of July, as Kerry FC picked up their first-ever points and win in the Carlisle Grounds with a 4-0 away win, a game which put the Kingdom firmly into the playoff picture.
Kerry FC sat just two points behind the Wicklow side going into the fixture. A win for Kerry FC would see them climb to third in the First Division standings, a league position which seemed a lifetime away this time last year.
A draw was played out in the two sides’ first MHP meeting this season, as two late Matthew Britton goals ensured the points would be shared. The sides go to Mounthawk Park, somewhat of a fortress for the home team. Thirteen games undefeated for the Kingdom, a record worth celebrating.
There were over one thousand people expected to be in attendance for this crunch fixture in Tralee; a win could put Kerry FC a step closer to achieving history in their brief time in the league. Whereas a result for Bray Wanderers could really stir things up. One thing was sure: it was not to be missed.
FIRST HALF
Kerry FC got the game underway in Mounthawk Park, but Bray Wanderers threatened almost immediately. In the opening minute, Tyreik Sammy tested Matthew Connor with a shot that the Kerry FC goalkeeper did well to save.
The visitors would not have to wait long for the opening goal, however. In the seventh minute, Tyreik Sammy found the net to give Bray Wanderers a 1-0 lead.
Kerry FC looked to respond and felt they had a strong claim for a penalty in the thirteenth minute when Ryan Perez appeared to be fouled inside the box, but the referee waved play on.
The Kingdom continued to push forward, and in the twentieth minute Cian Murphy came close to an equaliser. A Sean O’Connell cross picked out the Kerry FC defender, whose header went over the crossbar.
Kerry FC then had a major opportunity to level the contest in the twenty-fourth minute. Cian Bargary’s corner was spilt by Rian Hogan, with the ball falling to Jonas Häkkinen close to goal. However, his effort sailed over the crossbar from close range.
Bray Wanderers remained a threat at the other end. In the thirty-first minute, Endri Mustali found space inside the box but fired over Matthew Connor’s crossbar.
Kerry FC continued to work for an opening before the break. In the thirty-seventh minute, Sean McGrath sent a low ball into the box, but Rian Hogan was alert to the danger and gathered.
Two minutes later, Richard Ferizaj tried his luck from outside the area, but Matthew Connor was equal to the effort.
Sean McGrath then made an excellent run with the ball into the Bray Wanderers area in the fortieth minute, but his eventual effort went just wide.
Kyle Tucker was shown a yellow card in the forty-fifth minute as Kerry FC went into the interval trailing by a single goal.
SECOND HALF
Kerry FC began the second half looking for a route back into the game. In the forty-ninth minute, Cian Bargary delivered a dangerous cross from the right that nearly found Ryan Perez, but the Bray Wanderers defence cleared for a corner. The resulting set piece came to nothing.
Bray Wanderers had chances of their own to extend their advantage. In the fifty-second minute, Ajibola Oluwabiyi shot over from close range from a difficult angle.
Richard Ferizaj was booked in the sixty-second minute before Bray Wanderers missed a golden opportunity two minutes later, when Oluwabiyi was unable to convert a clear chance inside the area.
Kerry FC made their first change in the sixty-fifth minute, with Rob Keane replacing Ryan Perez as Kerry FC manager Colin Healy looked to change the momentum of the contest.
The second half proved difficult for Kerry FC, with clear-cut opportunities at a premium. Despite continuing to search for an equaliser, The Kingdom were unable to create the opening they needed.
Bray Wanderers came close to doubling their lead in the seventy-sixth minute when Dean O’Shea’s shot found the side netting.
Kerry FC made a double substitution in the eighty-second minute, with Cian Brosnan and Colin Healy replacing Vince Borden and Sean McGrath.
Niall Brookwell was shown a yellow card in the eighty-fifth minute as the home side continued to battle for a late equaliser.
Four minutes of additional time were indicated at the end of the ninety minutes, but Kerry FC could not find a way through the Bray Wanderers defence.
The final whistle confirmed a frustrating evening for The Kingdom, with Tyreik Sammy’s early goal enough to secure victory for the visitors.
Kerry FC Team: Matthew Connor; Sean O’Connell, Sean McGrath (C), Cian Murphy, Jonas Häkkinen, Samuel Aladesanusi, Ryan Perez, Vince Borden, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee, Cian Bargary.
Subs Used: Rob Keane, Cian Brosnan, Colin Healy.
Bray Wanderers Team: Rian Hogan; Alain Kizenga, Jamie Duggan, Richard Ferizaj, Declan Osagie, Kyle Tucker, Ajibola Oluwabiyi, Ben McCormack, Tyreik Sammy (GOAL ‘7), Endri Mustali, Dean O’Shea (C).
Subs Used: Zak Reddy, Jamie Ryan, Bailey Shelley.