For the second time this season, Joe Bradley proved to be Avonmore’s nemesis as Wolfe Tone advanced to the final of the U14 Division 2 Cup.
The two teams had met in their opening fixtures in the U14 Division 2 Shield back in September 2012, with the ‘Youth Club winning 2-1 and then 4-1.
In the second match away in Rathdrum, the striker scored twice.
But he went one better last Saturday at the Ballywaltrim Recreational Park in Bray.
Amazingly, it was the home side’s first match in 68 days since last December.
That ring rust showed as away goalkeeper Stephen Lee brilliantly denied Joe Bradley three times in the first 12minurtes as well as Ryan Clancy while Connor Doyle fired into the side netting.
That constant pressure though finally paid off in the 14th minute.
After Dion McGovern’s ball over the top, Corey Doonan squared to the breaking Joe Bradley to squeeze a 14-yard shot past Lee.
Totally against the run of play in the 25th minute, the visitors equalised.
A Wolfe Tone clearance was diverted into the path of Kelan Busher on the right side of the penalty area. And he expertly finished first time low past Paul Ashworth.
But the Bray teams’ custodian blocked with his knees to thwart Luke O’Neill on the half hour.
They broke straight away and forced a corner.
Full back Gordon Bradley curled it in. Lee claimed it under pressure at the front post. But then agonisingly fumbled it over his goal-line.
With the next score always going to be crucial, it went the ‘Club’s way five minutes into the seconds half.
Clancy set Joe Bradley clear to deftly lob over the advancing Lee from ten-yards.
A fourth arrived just two minutes later.
Gordon Bradley’s in-swinging corner saw Clancy out jump Lee to head in from just two-yards.
And the result was rubber-stamped on the hour mark.
Oisin Doyle’s long ball saw Joe Bradley beat the offside. And he slotted past stand-in keeper Donal McGraynor.

Wolfe Tone Youth Club C: Paul Ashworth; Oisin Doyle, Brandon McGrath, Josh O'Connell, Gordon Bradley; Ryan Clancy, Dion McGovern, Connor Doyle, Layth Alzubi; Joe Bradley, Corey Doonan.
Sub: Anthony Wheeler (for Joe Bradley 66 mins), James O’Neill, Craig Mason (both not used).

Avonmore FC: Stephen Lee; Aidan Ryan, Conor Penn, Marc Kearns, Sean Whelan; Ben Kinsella; Kelan Busher, Donal McGraynor, Kieran Penn, Stephen Wall; Luke O’Neill.
Subs: Gavin Driver (for Kearns 47 mins), Cormac McGraynor (for O’Neill 51 mins).

Referee: Richard Woods.

Match report: Paul Dowling, Evening Herald.