Galway United 2 Bray Wanderers 3:JEFF KENNA'S managerial reign at Galway United began in frustrating fashion when they lost out to Bray Wanderers in a five-goal thriller last night at Terryland Park.
Defensive hesitancy has been a feature of Galway's troubled start this season and this was evident after 90 seconds as Bray pilfered the lead. Marc McCulloch's clearance lacked conviction, and Ger Rowe fastened on to the loose ball before supplying the assist for Paddy Kavanagh's opener.
Bray struck again on the half-hour mark. Goalkeeper Chris O'Connor drilled a kick-out deep into enemy territory, Rowe glanced the ball on for Kavanagh, who rattled the Galway net with a sweet strike.
In the third quarter Galway battled back and Stephen O'Flynn's 47th-minute penalty following Derek Pender's foul on Derek O'Brien offered hope. Vinny Faherty restored parity in the 70th minute as Mark Leech bundled the ball into the striker's path.
But Bray had the final word when Rowe snatched a dramatic last-gasp goal to seal the win.
GALWAY UNITED: Rogers; Nootimer, Fitzgerald, Lester (Synott, 41), McCulloch; O'Shea, Fenn, Deegan, O'Brien; O'Flynn (Leech, 66), Faherty (Molloy, 88).
BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Pender, Doherty, Foran (Kenny, 54), Cronin; Whelan, Tresson, Cawley, Duggan (McCabe, 73); Kavanagh, Rowe (Dunphy, 90).
Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).
