Bray Wanderers 1 Wexford FC 0
Bray claimed the scalp of the eighth club to leave the Carlisle Grounds pointless in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division 2025 season as Cian Curtis’ fourth goal of the campaign sealed a narrow and hard-fought victory over Wexford.
In front of a crowd that exceeded 1,000 for the fifth home match in a row, the Seagulls consolidated third place in the table with the 1-0 success.
In truth, it was a game that won’t live long in the memory. But the end result is all that matters.
Wanderers had the better of the first half proceedings in blustery conditions, with the visitors edging the second half exchanges – but without really threatening the home goal.
It all meant the Wicklow outfit stood firm – registering their eighth League clean sheet of the campaign.
In a different display to the free flowing football of late shown by the Green and White’s, this was a battling performance where they had to dig in; and defend well.
The Seasiders named an unchanged line-up from that who defeated Athlone 4-0 away the weeks previous.
On the bench, goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness returned while new loan signing Matthew Britton was included amongst the substitutes.
Bray went ahead in the 28th minute.
Rhys Knight surged in off the left wing. Cian Doyle then tackled with the ball running loose to Conor Knight.
He found Max Murphy wide left – on his 100th appearance for the club. The full back clipped in low left footed into the box.
Curtis trapped the ball, turned to drift off a tackle then angled low from 14-yards into the bottom right corner of the net.
A second score almost arrived in the 33rd minute.
Doyle played in Rhys Knight on the left of the penalty area. He squared low with the ball coming to Billy O’Neill. But his swivelling left footed strike from 14-yards crashed back off the crossbar.
The visitors did have a 37th minute effort with Mikie Rowe’s half volley from 20-yards just outside the right of the box dropped wide of the far upright.
On the hour, former Wanderer Zayd Abada threaded a pass out right for Calum Flynn. But his attempt from 20-yards curled past the far left post.
The hosts had another opportunity to double their lead in the 71st minute.
Max Murphy picked out the run of Paul Murphy who lost his marker. But Paul Martin kept out the defender’s front post header with a fine reaction stop.
Wexford’s final chance to grab a share of the spoils came in the 85th minute. Sub Ryan Scanlon dug-out a hanging cross. The presence of both Jamie Duggan and skipper Kilan Cantwell meant Rowe did not get the purchase he wanted on the header, with Corcoran smothering well.
Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle; Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Guillermo Almirall 71), Conor Knight (Thomas Considine 86); Cian Curtis (Danu Kinsella Bishop 86).
Subs not used: Jordan Tallon, Alain Kizenga, Benjamin Fagbemi, Richard Ferizaj, Matthew Britton, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: O’Neill 54, Cantwell 63.
Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Zayd Abada, Cian Brown (Ryan Kelly 49), Ryan Butler, James Crawford; Conor Levingston, Kaylem Harnett (Patrick Manning
73); Michael McCarthy, Darragh Levingston (Ryan Scanlon 58), Mikie Rowe; Calum Flynn (Filip Wasilewski 73).
Subs not used: Harry Sherlock, Kyal Byrne, Alex Moody, Patrick Doyle.
Booked: Harnett 9, Conor Levingston 54, Crawford 56, Kelly 88.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Paul Murphy.
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