Match Report - Bray Wanderers 2 Finn Harps 2

 

In front of their biggest home league crowd of the season of 1,319 supporters at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray played out a 2-2 draw to remain five points clear of Finn Harps in the First Division play-off race. 

On an evening where results elsewhere meant that UCD, Athlone and Wexford booked places in the play-offs, Wanderers twice came from behind last Friday in their final scheduled home league match of 2024 to secure what could prove a valuable point. 

The situation is clear – a win away to Cobh Ramblers next week and a top five placing is guaranteed for the Wicklow club. 

A draw at St. Colman’s Park could mean the matter comes down to goal difference – Bray are +11 better than Harps who still need to win their remaining two matches at home to both Wexford and Treaty United. 

It may not come down to all that if the Donegal team do not overcome Wexford next Monday in Ballybofey. 

Both side’s went into the contest on the back of unbeaten runs – four games for Bray and five outings for Harps. 

From the team who drawn 1-1 last week away to UCD at the Bowl, the Green and White’s made one change – with Harry Groome returning in place of the suspended Kieran Cruise. 

As for the visitors, they were able to recall custodian Oisin Cooney who had been away with the Irish U19’ s in Croatia. 

The 17-year-old went to make a man of the match display as Wanderers didn’t capitalise on an array of chances. 

Cooney making first half saves to deny Zach Nolan, Cristian Magerusan (twice) Darren Craven and Shane Griffin while both Magerusan and Griffin were off target with free-kicks. 

Totally against the run of play, the visitors took a 35th minute lead. 

Sean Patton threaded a pass to slip skipper Tony McNamee free in the box to clip the ball past Jimmy Corcoran. 

But the Seagulls needed just 85 seconds after the interval to draw level. 

Magerusan squared low from the left of the box to pick out Guillermo Almirall. His first time placed effort was stopped on the line by Cooney. But the ball found the corner of the net. 

Again, having been under the cosh, the Donegal team went back in front in the 73rd minute. 

After being bundled over by Nolan in the box, Success Edogun converted the penalty. 

However, the Seasiders levelled just two minutes later. 

Captain Kilian Cantwell lofted a ball from the right on the halfway line. Substitute Ben Feeney helped it on with a glancing header just outside the penalty area. 

It fell to Griffin who lashed from just inside the box in to the top left hand corner of the net. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Cole Omorehiomwan, Zach Nolan; Harry Groome, John O'Sullivan (Ben Feeney 65); Darren Craven, Shane Griffin, Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight 65); Cristian Magerusan. 

 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Zayd Abada, Josh McGlone, Rhys Knight, Billy O'Neill, Stephen Mc Guinness. 

 

Booked: Groome 82. 

 

Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Luke O'Brien; Max Hutchison, Ryan Rainey (McAteer 78), Tony McNamee; Success Edogun (Johnson 88), Sean Patton, Patrick Ferry. 

 

Subs not used: Kevin Jordan, Conor Tourish, Gavin Gilmore, Bruce Strachan, Corey Sheridan. 

 

Booked: Ferry 24, Baba 40. 

 

Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway). 

 

Pictures: Mick Hanney (Bray Camera Club).