Super sub Abel Alabi helps Kerry shock Bray

Kennedy Amechi opened the scoring for Kerry after just 11 seconds. 

Abel Alabi's header sealed Kerry's first victory over Bray in 11 attempts. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division: Kerry FC 2 Bray Wanderers 1

A late goal by substitute Abel Alabi in the 87th minute enabled Kerry FC to beat Bray Wanderers for the first time and celebrate their 100th LOI game with a valuable three points.

Kerry made an explosive start from the kick-off when the ball was played back to keeper Tim Oliver Hiemer who lashed it long downfield and when it bounced in front of the Bray keeper James Corcoran who failed to deal with it. This allowed Kennedy Amechi to tap the ball into the Bray net just after eleven seconds, the second quickest goal at Mounthawk Park.

Kerry had a chance of doubling their lead in 11th minute when good work Sean McGrath and Daniel Okwute saw Oran Crowe let fly from the edge of the box, but it missed the target by a foot.

Neither side played a lot of ball along the deck and despite some well taken frees from Max Murphy, Bray Wanderers could not get a clear shot on goal. Max Murphy did float in a free that fell eventually to skipper Killian Cantwell whose glancing header was inches wide.

But Bray Wanderers, who are third in the table, were on level terms seven minutes into the second halff. A clumsy challenge by Kennedy Amechi inside his own box, when he pushed Jamie Ryan over, was punished when referee Oliver Moran pointed to the spot. Max Murphy took his seventh penalty and sent Tim Oliver Hiemer the wrong way.

Bray were now threatening to over run Kerry as they created a number of great chances with Cian Curtis blazing over while Tim Oliver Hiemer dived full length to deny Billy O’Neill who got on the end of Curtis's cross.

Bray got through again down the right and O’Neill was proving a thorn in the Kerry side, again nearly scoring in the 60th minute, forcing Hiemer into another superb full length save at his near post.

Kerry improved once Luke Palmer came on and he set up Daniel Okwute, who curled one just wide from outside the box with fifteen minutes left. Bray should have taken the lead in the 84th when O’Neill sent Kinsella through but Hiemer saved.

But Kerry FC struck for the winning goal in the 87th minute and it came from an unlikely source when substitute Abel Alabi, a centre half was introduced by manager Colin Healy, and played up front. He gained possession and won a corner. From the corner floated in by Sean O’Connell, which appeared to slide through Corcoran’s gloves, Alabi rose highest to head to the net. The home supporters went wild.

Kerry FC are now just two points off the play-offs and this was their first win over Bray in 11 attempts.

KERRY FC:  Hiemer; Williams, Aladesanusi, McQueen, Brookwell,  O’Connell; Crowe, Teahan, McGrath; Okwute, Amechi Subs: Palmer for Amechi (56), Alabi for Okwute (84), Barrett for McGrath (84). 

BRAY WANDERERS: Corcoran; Duggan, Cantwell, Murphy, Murphy; Doyle, Ryan, O’Neill, Almirall, Knight, Curtis Subs: Kinsella Bishop for (69), Costello for Knight (69), Knight for Almirall (76). 

Referee: Oliver Moran