St Patrick's Athletic (4) - Bray Wanderers (2)

Match Report

St Patrick's Athletic 4 - Bray Wanderers 2

St Patrick's Athletic showed why they have the best home record in the Premier Division with a crushing 4-2 win over struggling Bray Wanderers.

Without the top-scorer Mark Quigley and the mercurial Joseph Ndo, John McDonnell's side still managed to make it nine wins from 13 games at Richmond Park.

The match turned on one decision on the stroke of half-time.

Keith Fahey whipped in a free from the left wing. Keith Barker flicked on and, to the surprise of many, referee Pat Whelan pointed to the spot, adjudging Wanderers keeper Steve Williams had fouled Gary O'Neill.

The forward picked himself up to roll the spot-kick down the middle for his sixth of the season.

That lead was doubled just before the hour.

John Frost fed Billy Gibson who cut back across field only to see his attempt charged down.

It rebounded to Barker who cleverly evaded Ray Kenny with a flick and volleyed in from 12 yards in the same movement.

It got better for the Saints as they grabbed a third in the 66th minute.

A quick corner by Fahey allowed Frost to whip in a cross. The ball was flicked on and Gibson controlled with is chest before poking past Williams from six yards.

The woodwork denied the home team a fourth in the 85th minute as Fahey smacked a close range shot off the under-side of the bar.

Wanderers went straight down field and Paddy Kavanagh arrowed a stunning 22-yard effort into the top corner.

In a frantic finish, Michael Keane curled in a stunning 25-yard free two minutes in stoppage-time to make it 4-1.

There was still time for Wanderers to claim as second as sub Paul Dunphy pounced on a loose back pass.

© rté.ie