Bray Wanderers 0 Cobh Ramblers 2
Bray suffered their first SSE Airtricity First Division home loss in two months as Cobh took victory in the top of the table clash.
Two early goals did the damage on Friday evening as Ramblers left Wicklow with all three points.
The defeat also saw Wanderers' record breaking run of scoring in 23 successive matches come to an end – the first time in all competitions since last March that the team failed to find the net.
But for the ninth successive home game at the Carlisle Grounds in the 2025 season, a crowd that exceeded 1,000 spectators came through the turnstiles – as the attendance figures continue to be the best since the 2014 season.
There was one change to the starting line-up who drawn in Donegal last Monday against Finn Harps with Conor Knight restored to the first XI.
On the bench, Irish schools international Alain Kizenga returned amongst the substitutes.
The Seasiders went into the last match of the third series of games unbeaten in their last seven outings in all competitions.
But trailed 2-0 by the 20th minute.
From former Seagull Shane Griffin’s eighth minute corner, Jimmy Corcoran parried in a crowded six-yard area. Paul Murphy then cleared.
A bout of head tennis followed before the ball dropped to Cian Bargary outside the box. He controlled then struck a dipping right footed half volley that found the far left corner of the net.
It got better for the Munster outfit 12 minutes later with a counter attack from their own half.
Cian Murphy was set free wide right. He found Bargary who slipped in Iestyn Hughes who burst into the box. The full-back squared to the inrushing Barry Coffey to convert low at the near post.
The away side almost added a third 90 seconds later.
From a Shane Griffin left wing corner, Jamie Duggan headed away at the front upright. But Coffey poked the close range rebound wide.
Then on 36, Coffey’s 22-yard drive took a deflection. But Corcoran tipped over the bar.
Bray improved after the interval. On 56, Paul Murphy’s run and shot was gathered by Timothy Martin.
Matters were further compounded by the departure of Sean Brennan with injury.
Having received treatment just moments before, the playmaker left the pitch on 75 as a precaution.
But that left the hosts with only ten players having used all five substitutes.
One of those reserves was Guillermo Almirall who entered the field of play to make his 100th appearance in the Green and White shirt.
With two minutes to go, the midfielder intercepted.
From 50-yards out, he drove a lofted shot over the stranded Martin. But the ball landed on the roof netting.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan (Alain Kizenga 53), Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley (Rhys Knight half time), Cian Doyle (Richard Ferizaj 67); Billy O'Neill, Sean Brennan, Conor Knight (Justin Ferizaj 53); Cian Curtis (Guillermo Almirall 67).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Benjamin Fagbemi, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Cantwell 52.
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes (Jonas Häkkinen 63), Shane Griffin, Cian Coleman, Luka Le Bervet; Niall O'Keeffe (Rhys Gourdie 63), Harvey Cribb; Cian Bargary (Samuel Bellis 72), Barry Coffey (Dylan McGlade 72), Shane Griffin (Jason Abbott 83); Cian Murphy.
Subs not used: John O'Donovan, Brendan Frahill, Matthew Whelan, Oisin Barry.
Booked: David Moore (coach 54), Le Bervet 63, Bellis 90 + 1.
Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin).
Pictures: Harry and Stefan Teehan.
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