LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Shamrock Rovers 3 Bray Wanderers 1: ANOTHER BRACE of goals from Gary Twigg – his 20th and 21st of the season – saw Shamrock Rovers come from behind on Saturday to avenge their last league defeat to set up the opportunity for them to go top of the table for the first time this season when they meet Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds next Saturday.
The victory, which stretches their unbeaten league run to 18 games, moved Rovers back to within a point of leaders Bohemians. The champions face a League Cup final at Waterford United next weekend, and then travel to face Derry City the following Tuesday before meeting Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on October 2nd in a mouth-watering top of the table clash.
“With Bohs not playing in the league next weekend, we’ll go to Sligo for the three points to put the pressure on them. But, obviously, we’ll have to look after number one and that’s us,” said Twigg.
Bottom-of-the-table Bray were far from overawed and deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes.
Barry Johnston initially cleared Gareth Coughlan’s diving header from Dane Massey’s corner off the line but the ball fell for defender Dave Webster to blast home.
Rovers responded and Bray goalkeeper Chris O’Connor parried a header from Aidan Price before Padraig Amond was narrowly off target with an overhead kick. Twigg then thought he’d levelled on 29 minutes, only to see his shot from Ross Chisholm’s corner cleared off the line by Massey.
On 41 minutes Bray almost extended their lead as captain Derek Pender’s touch from a Massey shot was inches over the Rovers bar.
Rovers’ manager Michael O’Neill’s introduction of substitute Sean O’Connor paid quick dividends on 55 minutes. The winger’s short corner was whipped over by Pat Sullivan and captain Stephen Rice fired the equaliser home from close range.
Twigg then put Rovers in front on 67 minutes, O’Connor crossing from the left for the Scot to head home. Rovers sealed the points five minutes later when O’Connor headed Stephen Bradley’s cross back across goal for Twigg to hook home off his trusted left foot.
“We played some excellent stuff and we’re delighted to win the game,” said O’Neill. “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy game and that proved to be the case.”
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan, Treacy, Price, Cahill; Johnston; Rice, Chisholm (O'Connor, 54 mins), Bradley (Barrett, 83 mins); Twigg, Amond (Baker, ht).
BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Pender, Deans, Webster, Cronin (Kelly, 78 mins); Coughlan (Mulroy, 59 mins), Doyle, Brennan, Massey, McCabe (D. O'Neill, 80 mins); Flood.
Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).
