UCD AFC moved into the final of the A Championship with a 3-1 win over Bray Wanderers.
UCD AFC made the short trip to The Carlisle Grounds to take on Bray Wanderers in the semi final of the A Championship. The Students form in the group stages had dipped midway through and this resulted in UCD having to face the unbeaten Bray Wanderers side in the semi final. Having not lost a game in the run in to the match UCD were definitely second favourites, no one told the Boys in Blue. Two penalties from Samir Belhout and a late Chris Lyons goal ensure UCD were safely through to the last ever final of the A Championship.
Bray Wanderers fielded an extremely strong side with plenty of first team experience but this did not phase UCD as they put their faith in the players that had brought them so far. UCD dominated the first half an hour without creating too many chances. Bray Wanderers seemed content to play on the break and always looked capable of breaking the deadlock.
UCD settled into their passing rhythm and looked to set up attacks from midfield. One such attempt broke down and Bray found themselves in front of goal with a goalscoring opportunity. A ball in from the right hand side found Shane O'Neill in space and his first header was well saved by Mark McGinley, the UCD custodian could not prevent the Bray forward from slotting home the rebound. UCD had made the best of the first half an hour but found themselves a goal behind.
It did not take long for The Students to be back in contention. Barry McCabe burst into the box and collected the ball before being brought to earth by a lunging Wanderers challenge. Samir Belhout was charged with bringing UCD back into the game and he slotted the ball home expertly.
With the scores locked at 1-1 the second half was always going to be an entertaining affair. UCD began the half brightly with some exciting football but with 20 minutes gone Bray grabbed a hold of the game and looked to press home their advantage. Just as Samir Belhout stepped up to be counted in the first half so too did Mark McGinley in the second. Three times he had to quick off his line as Bray's attack bore down on goal. With Bray seemingly on the verge of scoring UCD sprung an attack and changed the game.
Robbie Benson was slipped clean through on goal and with the keeper to beat he was crudely taken down from behind in the penalty area. The Bray defender was shown the red card and once again it was up to Samir Belhout to beat the Bray number one. He duely obliged and UCD lead 2-1 going into the last quarter of the game.
Bray became more desperate in their attempts to gain an equaliser and reverted to a more direct style of football. Tomas Boyle, James Kavanagh and Mark McGinley stood strong at the heart of the UCD defence and rebuffed every attack. With time almost done, Chris Lyons popped up in the Bray box and put the tie well beyond doubt.
UCD will now take on Derry City in the Brandywell to see if they can bring the A Champoionship back to UCD for the last time.
UCD AFC: McGinley, Langtry, Boyle, Kavanagh, Russell, Doyle (Fitzgibbon), McCabe, Doughlas, McNelis, Benson, Belhout (Lyons)
