3rd October
Games like this are instantly forgettable. Dundalk got their third point of the season against a defensively sound Bray team. Dundalk lined out with Tom McNulty at left back with Shane Reddish returning at right back. Noel Melvin dropped alongside Kevin Brady in central defence with Mick Doohan suspended. David Hoey returned to left wing.
The first half will be remembered only for Lee Thew is Brian Irwin jokes and the illusive Jason Byrne up front for Bray. Byrne was causing problems for Brady and Melvin and after rounding Brady on 18 minutes his shot was well saved by the always reliable Steve Williams. Corners were the main feature of this with each side having their fair share. Steve Williams and Alan Kane had no trouble in dealing with these corners though and despite some good passages of play which led to no shots on goal it was no suprise the two sides went in with the score at 0-0.
Withnell and Ward as usual came to life in the second half with Withnell making the usual dangerous runs with no reward. Dundalk had no ideas. Every ball was hammered high towards Withnell. On the occasions Withnell won the ball David Ward could not capitalise. Ward was off form and second to every ball. Bray had no notable chances in the second half with Byrne finding it hard to make the breakthrough. Melvin and Brady were keeping Bray out but both looked like they were capable of a howler at some stage. Judgment is reserved on that partnership but it will certainly be broken up when Doohan returns from suspension. Until the last 15 minutes Dundalk's main threat came from corners. Campbell was delivering some lovely crosses but Dundalk had neither the physical nor the aerial presence to score from one of them. Dundalk's best chance of the game came with 10 minutes left. David Hoey got away from his marker and ran into the Bray box where Peter Withnell was free and waiting for the pass. However Hoey delayed and when he finally gave the pass Withnell shot over under pressure. If Hoey had given it earlier Withnell would have had time to take a touch and then shoot.Soon after Ray Campbell curled a free kick narrowly over. Peter Withnell made some good late runs and one occasion his low cross shot was parried away by the Bray keeper. If someone had been inside the 6 yard box they would have scored. David Ward threatened the Bray post with a late volley and Dundalk had a late scare when Bray shot over after Shane Reddish lost possession. A draw was inevitable and fair.
If both teams had kept playing for a couple more hours they still wouldn't have scored. To give Bray credit they put in an excellent defensive performance last night although they probably knew a long ball was coming all the time. Bray were well equipped to deal with that but if we had played the ball on the ground we would have had a better chance. Bray were hammered by Derry, a team who like to pass the ball about. Lee Thew had his best game for Dundalk making runs forward into the box. He's still overweight but if he slimmed down could be a good player for the club. Tom McNulty performed well in an alien position to him although when Bray attacked he was always the one under pressure. As I've said above Melvin and Brady were competent enough but did not look safe. Withnell was as committed as always while David Ward would want to forget this game. The Dundalk roadshow rolls on to troubled Bohemians next Friday, the only team worse than us this year. Hopefully the distraction of Turlough O Connor's return and the disgruntled Bohs fans will leave the door open for Dundalk to grab the points.
My comments on the outfield players are given in the paragraph above but in a tight game where a goal would suffice you need a keeper in the goals who the defenders have faith in. In Steve Williams we have that man and once again he was assured and made a couple of good saves as well