First Division

Carlisle Grounds
25 Sep 2020

Going into the game, the Seagulls were hoping to extend their lead at the head of the table to five points, with four games remaining. Instead, they find themselves second by a point, and with a tight finish to the campaign pending.

It is hardly a coincidence that Mark Doyle's headed goal just before the half hour followed very quickly after Gary Shaw had to be substituted following a knock: not so much the loss of the player, as his replacement has proved his quality, but the psychological shock of a forced change in personnel at that early stage.

Both side had had early chances, and Seán McEvoy twice came close to equalising before the interval.

Goal opportunities in the second half were few and far between, with both defences well capable when they were called on, and the single goalproived all that the Boyneiders needed to claim their position at the top.

But a lot can happen with twelve points on offer in the next few weeks, and it looks like a last-minute sprint up the Champs Elysées may be neccessary at the end.

Compiled by Mícheál Ó hUanacháin

Bray Wanderers: 25 Brian Maher; 2 John Ross Wilson, 3 Dylan Barnett, 4 Killian Cantwell, 5 Aaron Barry (c) , 7 Ryan Graydon , 8 Callum Thompson, 10 Gary Shaw, 12 Jack Watson, 17 Luka Lovic, 18 Sean McEvoy
Subs: 1 Adam Hayden (gk), 6 Paul Keegan, 9 Joe Doyle (for Watson 68), 11 Derek Daly (for Graydon 86), 14 Tristan Noack-Hofmann, 19 Darragh Lynch (for Shaw 28 inj), 27 Marlon Marishta
Drogheda United: 23 David Odumosu; 16 Brandon Bermingham, 2 James Brown, 22 James Clarke, 6 Hugh Douglas, 14 Mark Doyle , 45 Mark Hughes, 11 Jake Hyland (c), 3 Conor Kane , 15 Stephen Meaney , 5 Derek Prendergast
Subs: 1 Ross Treacy (gk), 4 Jack Tuite (for Meaney 60), 7 Adam Wixted, 9 Chris Lyons (for Bermingham H/T) , 10 Richie O'Farrell (for Doyle 80), 21 Luke Heeney (for Clarke 60), 25 Ryan O'Shea
Referee: Damien MacGraith