20-07-08: Bray Wanderers (a) 3-2 (HT 0-2) Crowd (4,500)

Rui Marques took the captain’s armband and trialist Marcus Haber was given a start as United visited Bray Wanderers on their second game of their Irish tour, while David Lucas was given a chance in goal, as United gave several players a chance to show their ability as they lined up: David Lucas; Scott Gardner, Rui Marques, Lubomir Michalik, Ben Parker; David Prutton, Jonathan Douglas, Bradley Johnson, Peter Sweeney; Marcus Haber, Andy Robinson. United started promisingly, with Bradley Johnson heading over after four minutes after good work from David Prutton and Andy Robinson but received a shock five minutes later when Daryl Robson took advantage of the Leeds defence leaving him free on the edge of the box by rifling a shot past David Lucas. United pushed for an equaliser and Peter Sweeney hit a post but it was the home side that increased their lead after thirty-two minutes when Leeds lost possession in midfield and former Leeds trainee Alan Cawley fed Ger Rowe, who scored with ease. It was not a fair reflexion of play but nevertheless the home side took a 2-0 into the second half. United pulled a goal back from an Andy Robinson corner which Rui Marques met at the far post to head home powerfully and, after almost repeating the scoring a few minutes laterwhen Gabriel Sava made a good save lowdown, Rob Bayly replaced him after sixty-four minutes. Four minutes later they drew level as David Prutton provided the pass that found Marcus Haber at the far post to tap home his first goal for the club. Haber should have got a second a few moments later but was crowded out when he tried to make connection with a good Andy Robinson cross. Enoch Showunmi replaced Marcus Haber after seventy minutes and five minutes later Jonathan Howson came on for Andy Robinson. In the meantime David Lucas was alert to palm away a cross and Andy Myler's touch let him down when presented with a chance to nudge the ball past the keeper in the seventy-third minute. Then seven minutes from time, as the game seemed to be heading for a draw, the two late replacements combined and good work from Showunmi saw Howson score. Casper Ankergren, Frazer Richardson, Alan Sheehan, Paul Huntington and Paul Telfer all remained unused on the bench. For the home side Brian Kane, Craig Hyland, Philip Knight, Ronan Ivory, Gavin Whelan, Paul Dunphy, Andy Myler and Emeka Onwubika were on the bench.

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