By Gavin McLaughlin
Dundalk 1-0 Bray Wanderers
Dundalk remain four points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table thanks to Andy Boyle’s header against Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park.
It was enough to give the champions a sixth straight league win after what could only be described as a workmanlike performance against the struggling Seagulls.
The goal came in the 21st minute. Ronan Finn floated a free-kick to the back post and Boyle powered a header across Peter Cherrie into the net.
Dundalk struggled to move up the gears after that and they had Gary Rogers to thank for securing the win, the Lilywhites goalkeeper standing tall to make a fine stop to deny Dylan Connolly in the 89th minute.
As expected, the hosts dominated the first half but Bray Wanderers goalkeeper Peter Cherrie, a league winner with Dundalk in 2014, was relatively untroubled in the opening 20 minutes.
Dundalk, however, possess a threat in every department and so it proved again for the winning goal. Ronan Finn’s clipped free-kick to the back post found Andy Boyle and the skipper powered a header across Cherrie into the net.
The goal injected a bit of life into Dundalk and Cherrie had to get down to gather a Chris Shields effort just two minutes later, the former Bray midfielder evading a couple of tackles before getting off his effort at goal.
Finn then steered a right-footed attempt wide of the post after he was neatly set up by David McMillan before Boyle caused trouble in the Bray penalty area again on the half hour mark, his towering header from a Daryl Horgan corner just clearing the bar.
Harry Kenny’s side rarely looked like opening Dundalk up but the home support watched on nervously in the 38th minute when left-back Sean Harding let fly with a half volley that just flew over the top. It was the only time in the opening 45 minutes that Gary Rogers in the Dundalk goal looked concerned.
The champions should have doubled the lead 60 seconds later. Great tenacity by Horgan saw him steal the ball from Hugh Douglas on the left touchline and feed Finn. The midfielder’s cut back was inch-perfect for David McMillan but the striker skewed his effort badly wide from six-yards.
McMillan missed another gilt-edged chance just two minutes after the restart, heading well off target with just Cherrie to beat. Thankfully for the 27-year-old, the assistant’s flag had already been raised.
Cherrie denied McMillan’s downward header shortly after as Dundalk went in search of a killer second but Bray looked relatively comfortable and pushed for a goal with Mark Salmon flashing an effort wide with 12 minutes to play.
And the visitors almost stunned Dundalk in the 89th minute when Connolly broke free to bear down on goal but Rogers made a vital save to secure a hard fought win for Stephen Kenny’s side.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson (Darren Meenan 67); John Mountney (Paddy Barrett 80), Ronan Finn, Daryl Horgan; David McMillan.
BRAY WANDERERS: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Alan McNally, Sean Harding (Gareth McDonagh 74); Mark Salmon, Robbie Creevy; Dylan Connolly, Karl Moore, Jason Marks (Ryan Brennan 69); Ger Pender (Dean Kelly 69).
REFEREE: Derek Tomney
