St. Patrick’s Athletic secured a vital victory with a 3-1 win over Bray Wanderers. The result moves the Dublin side out of the relegation zone. Goals from Conan Byrne, Christy Fagan and Josh O’Hanlon undone a wonderful Gary McCabe strike. The Saint
St. Patrick’s Athletic secured a vital victory with a 3-1 win over Bray Wanderers. The result moves the Dublin side out of the relegation zone. Goals from Conan Byrne, Christy Fagan and Josh O’Hanlon undone a wonderful Gary McCabe strike. The Saints had enjoyed the better of the possession in the opening half, but Christy Fagan, Billy Dennehy and Killian Brennan were wasteful in front of goal. Fagan came closest when he sent a back-post header narrowly over. McCabe notched his fourteenth goal of an impressive League campaign with a stunning free-kick on 37 minutes. Killian Brennan had tripped the former Shamrock Rovers man and he sent his effort in off the underside of the bar. It was the only clear opening created by the Wicklow club who won their 2-1 in Richmond Park on the opening day of the season. The Saints begun the second half much stronger than Bray and were rewarded when with their fifth corner of the half, they levelled the game. Billy Dennehy landed a curled set-piece onto the forehead of the reliable Conan Byrne. Byrne found the net again soon after, but was flagged offside. The winger was instrumental in handing his side the lead soon after as he centred the ball low for Christy Fagan to sweep home first time. Peter Cherrie’s left hand denied Fagan to keep Bray alive. Fagan looked certain to double his tally but for the quick reactions down low from the former Dundalk stopper. The Saints continued to enjoy the lions share of the ball, while Harry Kenny’s side were unable to create any notable efforts going forward. Good work from Ryan Brennan and McCabe were often undone by poor final balls and gallant St. Pat’s defending. With time almost up, the hosts secured the points with a goal from Josh O’Hanlon. He slipped between the pair of centre-halves and fired low past a helpless Cherrie.
