Bohemians 2 Bray Wanderers 0:Of their 16 league games before this encounter Bohemians had won by more than a single goal on just two occasions. Punters in attendance and also those tuning in at home were never likely to revel in a goal fest.
The Phibsboro side have become practitioners of closing out games on slender leads and although boasting the least porus defence in the league they make their supporters sweat on the outcome. Not until Stephen Rice's audacious lob 15 minutes from time were the points assured, despite having led since the 30th minute.
By the time they took the lead Bohemians were playing the more eye-catching football. Prior to that, however, their approach was somewhat disjointed. Bray brought gumption to the table and the determination they showed in restricting space was admirable. Alan Cawley and Mark Duggan played without fear and the pair rarely allowed goal scorers Kevin Hunt and Rice settle to their liking.
Bray's Gary McCabe and striker Andrei Georgescu's trickery caused unease in the Bohemians defence. McCabe could have had Bray in front after 20 minutes but having beaten Owen Heary he steered his shot directly at goalkeeper Brian Murphy.
Bohemians smartly addressed their problems. The greasy surface was never conducive to precise passing so the home side profited when spraying the ball wide. Incisive running thereafter aided their cause as Bray were pushed deeper and deeper. Fergal Harkin and Neale Fenn showed neatness of touch while Glen Crowe was a willing accomplice.
Hunt's goal after 28 minutes should have been finished by Crowe seconds earlier. Racing in on goal the ball tangled under his feet. But in making amends, Crowe scrambled a cross over goalkeeper Steve Williams for Hunt to bundle home on the line amid a sea of bodies.
Bray remained game until the death and Patrick Kavanagh's introduction rejuvenated the visitors. Bohemians were containing for lengthy spells and never appeared entirely comfortable in doing so. Cawley's fizzing free-kick required an acrobatic save and Bray's assault thereafter proved relentless if not quite precise enough. But Rice's intervention late on settled nervous home supporters as his distant looping effort from Conor Powell's ball flummoxed Williams before dipping under the crossbar.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy; O Heary, Pooley, Burns (T Heary 68), Powell; Harkin (Rossiter 60), Rice, Hunt, Byrne; Crowe, Fenn (Mansaram 73).
BRAY WANDERERS: Williams; Gough (Dunphy 76), Deans, Delaney, Cronin; O'Shea, Cawley, Duggan (Hurley 85), McCabe; Fox (Kavanagh 60), Georgescu.
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin)
