Youthful United struggle for chances against Wanderers

Galway United 0

Bray Wanderers 1

Mike Rafferty at Eamonn Deacy Park

The preseason briefings coming from Galway United manager Alan Murphy spoke of potential and long-term planning, and that, of course took away any pressure that might fall on his young side.

In other words, expectations were not high but there would be plenty of honest endeavour and commitment.

United have now played two home games and while they were against sides with bigger budgets and amongst those fancied to contend for First Division honours, both teams did not appear to be unbeatable.

However, the home displays have come up short on both occasions, as both Shelbourne and Bray Wanderers were beatable. After coming from two down and winning 3-2 on the opening night of the season, Shelbourne went and lost 3-2 at home against Cabinteely, before getting their act together at the weekend and seeing off Athlone Town 2-0.

Bray appear to be more consistent, as their Friday night win on the Dyke Road was their third in succession, and they top the table without conceding a goal. They certainly appear to have plenty of talent in their squad, and are further into their development than Galway United.

Leaving out United’s 4-0 away win over a Wexford side who have lost all three of their opening games, the task for Murphy is to get his side into contention against the better teams, and while they competed honesty against Bray, there is a lack of go-forward momentum in the side.

Most of the players selected to date have performed reasonably well, but they are going to struggle to score goals and therefore win matches, unless a more productive attacking mindset is installed in the side.

While two stunning goals were scored early on against Shelbourne, there was little of note about their attacking ability thereafter and indeed the same could be said of Friday’s performance.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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