League Report: Athlone Town 1 - 2 Bray Wanderers

A second-half goal from Kurtis Byrne gave Bray Wanderers a much-needed win in Athlone. Two points from five games had seen them slip further back in the play-off race. While there is still a chance, they have to remain hopeful. 

It was yet another disappointment for bottom of the table Athlone. As in many of the games this season, promising chances were created in the first half before their opponents took control. 

Athlone made three changes from the loss to Wexford. Vladislav Velkin started in goal while Glen McAuley and Adam Lennon also made the lineup. The latter was marking his return to the team after a spell at UCD. Mark Smith, Shane Barnes and Cian Kelly dropped out.

The visitors introduced Kurtis Byrne and Karl Manahan as Kevin Knight and Conor Clifford made way for them. 

The Seagulls started the better in the midland’s sunshine. The attacking trio of Paul Fox, Callum Thompson and Kurtis Byrne all got on the ball within the first few minutes and forced back their hosts. Byrne was the first to test Velkin from a corner, but the new goalkeeper was equal to it. 

Much of the hopes of the home supporters were with Adam Lennon and he showed his pace early on. He received a pass from Thomas Oluwa and drove beyond Conor McManus. His final shot went over though. 

Ben Feeney was then forced to cut out an attempted cross from Oluwa after he got behind the back-line. It came to him after Aaron McBride received a quick throw-in. In between these, Byrne almost caught out Oisin Duffy with a pass down the line to Fox. The defender was able to recover in time though. 

It seemed that both sides were aiming to counter attack one another through the pace of their forward lines. Callum Thompson was left perplexed by a late flag as a ball down the line almost got him in on ball. It looked a tight one. 

Dan Blackbyrne was proving to be a solid defender and he won a crucial block to deny a McAuley chance. He then had a chance to play in the unmarked Oluwa. His cross lacked the accuracy required though. 

It was the home side who were making all the running as the half came towards an end and should have made the breakthrough. Oluwa found himself one-on-one with McGuinness after Gary Armstrong found his late run into the box with a precision ball. He was unable to beat the ‘keeper, however.

Moments later there was a firm shout for a penalty as Eoin Massey looked to have held back McAuley. Armstrong tried to take advantage of the confusion, but his chipped effort hit the woodwork.     

Bray begun the second half with great impetus and soon found themselves in front. A neat interchange of passes between Thompson, Lynch and Fox led to Byrne finding space just outside the area. He spotted bodies in the area and his floated ball led to Ben Feeney heading home. Due reward for a tidy display from the midfielder.   

They were not ahead for long though as the home side struck back. A free kick was conceded out on the left and McAuley sent it towards the back post. Aaron McBride got ahead of his man to slot home.  

Bray were temporarily stunned but refused to sit back. Pat Devlin had moved Byrne into a more advanced position behind Lynch and he begun to create worry for the home defenders. The link up play between the two saw a few half-chances created. 

And before too long Bray were back in front. Thompson evaded the attention of the Athlone midfield to glide through on goal. He had two players in support and opted to pass it inside to Byrne who had the easy job of tapping it home. A lovely flick from Byrne into Lynch almost resulted in a third but the striker was unable to keep his shot on target. 

The midfield battles were all being won by the visitors as Athlone struggled to gain any sort of meaningful possession. A stark contrast to his form in the first as Lennon, along with McAuley, were unable to see much of the ball. The latter tried to make something happen down the right flank but found himself crowded out. 

As Bray were sitting back deeper, Athlone tried to get something out of the game. Aaron Connolly attempted to create a chance for his team-mates but was left frustrated. The best opportunity saw McAuley at the back post. He was always stretching for his header and was unable to keep it on target. 

Satisfaction at a job well done at the final whistle for Bray. They remain adrift of the play-off positions, but still have faint hopes. A home clash with Treaty next Friday could yet be important. Athlone travel to Longford the following evening.   

Athlone Town: Vladislav Velkin; Daniel Dobbin, Osaze Irhue, Aaron McBride, Noah van Geenan; Aaron Connolly, Oisin Duffy (c), Adam Lennon; Gary Armstrong, Glen McAuley, Thomas Oluwa (Valerij Dolia 72).
Subs not used: Mark Smith, Andy Spain, Blake Ryan, Donal Curtin, Youri Habing, Gerard O'Connor.
Booked: None.

Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness (c); Daniel Blackbyrne, Jack Hudson, Eoin Massey, Conor McManus; Ben Feeney, Paul Fox, Callum Thompson (Conor Knight 87); Kurtis Byrne (Colin Kelly 87), Darragh Lynch (Vilius Labutis 81), Karl Manahan (Dean Zambra 63).
Subs not used: Michael Kelly, Marty Waters, Darragh Levingston, Jamie Hollywood, Zak O'Neill.
Booked: Ben Feeney (66) 

Referee: Marc Lynch
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ben Feeney (Bray Wanderers)

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