Bray Wanderers 1 Galway United 5
On a pleasant evening by the seaside, Galway United delivered a purposeful performance to secure a vital SSE Airtricity League first division victory.
Even when Bray Wanderers posed questions at the start of the second half, United absorbed the locals' enthusiasm before finishing strongly.
Stephen Walsh brought his seasonal account to 10 goals with another remarkably resilient display, setting the tone early on. Captain Conor McCormack led by example in the centre of the park with trademark industry.
A satisfactory opening period for the visitors commenced with a first minute goal as United pounced to score.
Inevitably Walsh was involved, connecting with Max Hemmings’ cross to steer United ahead.
An instant response was nearly summoned by Bray, but Rob Manley’s effort went wide.
Bray’s experienced midfielder Conor Clifford extracted a fine reflex save from Conor Kearns in the 16th minute.
At the opposite end, though, United carried a threat with Walsh turning provider for Wilson Waweru, who netted a crisp 24th minute goal.
After the restart Bray improved considerably with effective substitute Darragh Lynch trimming the deficit on 64 when slotting home a Kieran Marty Waters cross.
Lynch subsequently went close again, but United survived that scare and then scored courtesy of Max Hemmings in the 74th minute.
Manu Dimas, one of a number of United substitutes to contribute handsomely, crafted a fourth for Walsh with 10 minutes remaining.
Francely Lomboto, another willing replacement, was fouled in the area moments later by Daniel Blackbyrne. David Hurley's penalty conversion was ice cool.
Bray Wanderers: Kelly; Blackbyrne, Hudson, Knight, Fox; Thompson (Knight, HT ), Clifford (Labutis, 89 ), Levingston (Lynch, HT ), Dalton (Manahan, HT ); Manley, Waters (McPhillips, 79 ).
Galway United: Kearns; Hemmings, Portilla (Lyons, 83 ), Brouder, Murphy; McCarthy (O'Keeffe, 70 ), McCormack, Hurley, Waweru (Lomboto, 70 ); Manning (Dimas, 57 ); Walsh (Adeyemo, 83 ).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.
