Rovers 1 Bray Wanderers 0

******* Eircom League Premier Division *******
Shamrock Rovers 1
Purcell 72'

Bray Wanderers 0

Tolka Park - Friday 1st June 2007

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This wasn't the best performance by the Hoops but a tough and successful three games in seven days took its toll on the players. Bray arrived in Tolka Park on the back of two wins also and took the game to the Hoops in the early stages with Tresson smashing a fine shot off the crossbar after only 7 minutes. Dave O'Connor then raided down the left just two minutes later and he found Purcell inside the area but the shot was blasted over the bar.

This was a tough physical battle and Dan O'Connor picked up an early booking. Ger Rowe was quick to spot Cassidy from a free-kick on 16 minutes and the Hoops number seven crossed for Purcell but he just failed to make contact. The Wanderers breached the Hoops defence on 19 minutes but the shot hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Rovers were finding it difficult to create any openings and it was the visitors that went close again on 38 minutes with a glancing header from a cross.

Bray almost grabbed the lead just five minutes into the second half. Barry Murphy again showed how good a 'keeper he is blocking a close range effort with the follow up shot going narrowly wide. Aiden Price had to go off injured after only 54 minutes to be replaced by Tommy Barrett. Pat Scully showed the Hoops intent on winning the game by pushing three men up front on the hour when sending on Andy Myler.

In the 72nd minute Ger O'Brien forced a corner from which Cassidy played a short ball to Rowe who turned and crossed deep for Ferguson to head. The ball struck Delaney on the arm and amid calls for a penalty the ball fell nicely for Purcell and he turned to shoot past Williams from close range. There was huge relief in the ground but from the kick-off Bray raided down the right and a low cross was well defended by Ferguson almost on his own line.

A Cassidy free-kick on 82 minutes was met by the diving Purcell but his header went just wide. Bray pushed on looking for an equaliser but apart from a couple of scrambles in the box the Hoops defence stood firm. Not a great performance by the Hoops but the three points gained capped a memorable week for Pat Scullys men.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Derek Pender
4 Aiden Price
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Dan O'Corner
7 Dave Cassidy
8 Ian Ryan
9 Tadhg Purcell
10 Ger Rowe
11 Dave O'Connor


Substitutes :

13 Dean Lawrence
14 Tommy Barrett for Price 54'
15 Jamie Duffy for Dan O'Connor ht
16 Stephen O'Brien 17 Andy Myler for Dave O'Connor 61'