Lightning halts play before Bray stage comeback to take maximum points in Kerry

Christian Magerusan of Bray Wanderers. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Kerry FC 2 Bray Wanderers 3 

Christian Magerusan struck a decisive third goal for Bray in a chaotic second half to see the visitors take a first win of the season. 

It was a night where Kerry FC’s poor defending of set pieces came back to haunt them in the second half during which they led twice.

On a night of lightning strikes in Tralee, it was a thunderous effort from Kevin Williams that gave 10-man Kerry the lead at the break. 

Four goals in four minutes would change the narrative of the contest as Bray left Tralee with all three points.

Kerry looked much the better in the early exchanges.

With ten minutes elapsed, Kerry again almost struck the opener, Sean McGrath playing Daniel Okwute down the right wing, who ran the byline and forced Jimmy Corcoran to save at his near post. 

The ball spilled to the path of McGrath in the area but Corcoran pulled off a spectacular double save to deny Kerry an opener.

Bray had threatened but did little to test the host's defence in the opening half, almost taking the lead just shy of the 15-minute mark as Paul Murphy had a snapshot from a Kieran Cruise corner on the right wing that flew over the crossbar. 

The game soon stopped due to a torrential shower of hailstone, before being halted for over half an hour due to intense lightning.

As play resumed Kerry were showing signs of intent but missed that end product. 

As the half hour approached Darren Craven stung the palms of 'keeper Antonio Tuta. 

Kerry were reduced to 10 men with 39 minutes elapsed when Nathan Gleeson, already on a yellow card, had a coming together with Max Murphy.

In opening half stoppage time Kerry did take the lead. 

Pressing Bray in stoppage time, Paul Murphy headed clear into the path of Williams, the defender striking from range to the back of the Bray net.

With wind and driving rain in their faces, Bray had much more of the possession in the second half. With numerical advantage in their favour, they were putting Kerry under intense pressure.

Bray found their goal with 70 minutes elapsed Shane Griffin whipping a corner in from the right that Peter Grogan headed to the area. 

No sooner had they leveled but Bray were behind, Kerry FC immediately regained the lead as Sean O’Connell whipped a corner that Samuel Aladesanusi headed home at the back post.

On a night full of drama a third goal followed just sixty seconds later. A cross to the area not dealt with by Tuta and Darren Craven struck inside the area to equalise. Bray would lead in the 75th minute as Christian Magerusan headed home a Griffin free kick.

The Kingdom pressed until the very end but were unable to turn the outcome around. 

KERRY: A Tuta; K Williams, S Aladesanusi, A Spain, S O’Connell (K Amechi 78); D McCarthy, S Healy, S McGrath (C Brosnan 78); D Okwute (E Kos h/t), R Kelliher (V Udeze 66), N Gleeson.

BRAY WANDERERS: J Corcoran; M Murphy (Peter Grogan 60), C Omorehiomwan (Freddie Turley 34), P Murphy, K Cantwell, K Cruise (A Kizenga 86); D Craven, H Groome (C Magerusan 60); G Almirall (Zach Nolan 60), C Thompson, S Griffin.

Referee: M Moynihan (Dublin)