Sport

Bray rediscover their form in style

Jason Byrne scored twice as Bray Wanderers put a run of three straight defeats behind them in emphatic fashion to leapfrog Longford…

Thu Sept 20 2001 - 01:00

Jason Byrne scored twice as Bray Wanderers put a run of three straight defeats behind them in emphatic fashion to leapfrog Longford Town out of the bottom three in the Premier Division table.

It began perfectly for Pat Devlin's side as they took the lead inside the opening minute. Colm Tresson's free-kick from inside his own half glanced off the head of a defender to put Byrne in on goal and he calmly toe-poked past Stephen O'Brien for an easy finish.

Longford deservedly equalised on 21 minutes. Alan Murphy's cross from the right at the second attempt wasn't cleared and Eric Lavine pounced on the loose ball to turn well and volley past John Walsh from about 12 yards.

Longford had much the better of proceedings thereafter until the 51st minute introduction of the Paul Keegan to the Bray attack.

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That gave the Bray attack much needed impetous and they restored their lead on 62 minutes; Byrne again proving his worth as he dived to glance home a header.

Keegan then set up the third goal to end Longford's challenge 10 minutes later as he got to the end-line to cross for Barry O'Connor to apply the finish.

Byrne then set up Thomas Morgan 12 minutes from time when the midfielder scored from 20 yards. And Tresson got in on the scoring act in the final minute.

BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Charles, Tresson, Doohan; Britton, Morgan, Campbell, Gormley, Farrell; Byrne, O'Connor. Subs: Fox for Campbell (inj. 23 mins.), Keegan for Britton (51 mins.), Long for O'Connor (80- mins.).

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Murphy, McNally, S. Byrne, Perth; Kirby, Kenny, Reynolds, Molloy; Lavine, Zellor. Subs: Smith for Molloy (half-time), Holt for Zellor (61 mins.), Gavin for Kenny (72 mins.).

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin)

Tonight

Derry City v UCD - The Brandywell (7.45)

Kevin Mahon expects to be picking from the same panel for UCD's visit this evening, although there may be one or two changes to the side that almost took all three points away from Tolka Park earlier in the week.

Paul Doolin, meanwhile, will also stick with much the same side for his first game back at the Brandywell as a manager.

Last season: UCD 0 City 1, City 0 UCD 1, UCD 1 UCD 1.

League form: City: LWLWD; UCD: LDWLL.

Leading scorers: Derry City - Hughes and T McCallion (2 each); UCD - McAuley, R Martin and Martyn (2 each).

Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 9/4, UCD: 4/1.

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).