Weakened visitors still just ruthless

Bray Wanderers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 4: IN HIS programme notes, Bray manager Eddie Gormley bemoaned the clash of fixtures with the televised Champions League semi-final first-leg at the San Siro as a pity.

The one-time midfield maestro of Inchicore may have wished he’d stayed at home to watch Internazionale play Barcelona, as his young side were ruthlessly routed as St Patrick’s eased back to the top of the table with their biggest, and most convincing, win of the season.

The three points were all the more impressive given manager Pete Mahon rested three key players – captain Damian Lynch, Ryan Guy and David Mulcahy – while Stuart Byrne was injured.

It scarcely mattered as they dominated from the start and won by half-time with four goals inside 14 minutes. Bray remain rooted to the foot of the table with just one point from seven games.

The opener came when David McAllister’s ball out to the right was swept to the far post by Brian Cash and Paul Byrne, one of five ex-Bray players in the visitors’ line-up, beat Brian Kane with a towering header on 27 minutes.

Conor Sinnott, making his first league start of the campaign in central midfield, then sent Vinny Faherty in behind the defence again on 32 minutes. Kane was off his line smartly to save with his feet.

But Bray were struggling in the air defensively and conceded another goal within a minute.

This time captain for the night Conor Kenna celebrated his player of the month award by getting on the end of Sinnott’s free-kick to head past Kane.

Another Sinnott delivery brought the third on 38 minutes when Kenna’s central defensive partner Shane Guthrie headed home.

It was 4-0 two minutes later. Kenna’s long ball was knocked down by Byrne for fellow former Wanderer Gareth Coughlan to rifle home with his right foot.

In the second half and Cash and substitute Alex Williams had goals disallowed for offside.

But the game was long since over.

BRAY WANDERERS:Kane; Doyle, Tresson, O'Connor (Webster, h/t), Massey; Zambra, Shields, Kavanagh (Brennan, 59 mins), Baker (Doyle, 51 mins); Mulroy, O'Neill.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Rogers; Pender, Guthrie, Kenna (Lynch, 81 mins), Bermingham; Cash, McAllister, Sinnott, Coughlan (Doyle, 73 mins); Faherty, P Byrne (Williams, 66 mins).

Referee:Neil Doyle (Dublin).