Match Report - Bray Wanderers 2 Treaty United 1

 

 

On an historic night at the Carlisle Grounds, Richard Ferizaj became Bray’s youngest every goal-scorer as Wanderers retained second place in the SSE Airtricity First Division. 

On the back of a fourth straight League victory for the Seagulls, the teenager broke Republic of Ireland international Andrew Moran’s previous record set back in February 2020 on Friday evening. 

Aged just 16 years and 57 days, Ferizaj scored in the 57th minute at the Seaside venue. 

Defender Harvey Warren strode forward to play a ball over the top for Ferizaj to chase. 

As Richkov Boevi hesitated for Corey Chambers to come and claim, Ferizaj pounced on the defensive mistake to slot past Chambers – beating Moran’s previous record by 78 days. 

Winning four times in a row for the first time since April 2024 after victories over Cobh (2-1), UCD and Athlone (both 1-0), Wanderers are now leaders Dundalk’s closest rivals – seven points behind the Lilywhite’s at the end of the first series of nine matches in the campaign. 

With Jordan Tallon out injured, and Rhys Knight on duty with the Republic of Ireland Schools in Northern Ireland, the Wicklow outfit made three changes from their victory over Athlone last week with Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle and Ferizaj all coming in. 

Benjamin Fagbemi returned to the bench with Benjamin Villalobos and Leon Keogh were included among the substitutes for the first time in 2025 League action. 

Almost out of nothing, the Green and White’s took the lead in style in the 38th minute. 

It was only Kilian Cantwell’s second ever goal for the club. And it was a goal of the season contender. 

Cian Doyle sprayed a cross-field ball right to left in his own half in the centre circle. 

Kilian Cantwell gathered with his first touch then burst past an opponent. The home skipper then struck a stunning shot into corner of the box to the far top right corner of the net. 

Remarkably, it was the Kilkenny native’s first goal for Wanderers since June 2019. 

United – following their success last week over Kerry – made two changes with former Bray player Yousef Mahdy and Trpimir Vrljicak starting. 

Mahdy went close on 27th minute with his close range effort coming back off the bar, before the line and headed out for a corner by Warren - moments after the Limerick side had a Lee Devitt penalty claim waved down. 

Five minutes later at the other end, Max Murphy tried his luck from the centre circle. But Chambers got back to tip the ball over the bar. 

United equalised in the 51st minute. 

Karl O’Sullivan whipped in a corner from the left flank right footed with Mahdy getting ahead of Jimmy Corcoran to head in from two-yards. 

 

Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Jamie Duggan; Rhys Bartley (Paul Murphy 90 + 3), Cian Doyle; Conor Knight (Calum Costello 66), Juston Ferizaj (Almirall 80), Billy O'Neill; Danú Kinsella-Bishop (Cian Curtis 66). 

 

Subs not used: Philip Cooney, Benjamin Villalobos, Leon Keogh, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Doyle 35, Max Murphy 86. 

 

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; O'Connor, Robbie Lynch, Ben Lynch, Richkov Boevi (Fionn Doherty 61); Steven Healy, Eoin Martin; Karl O'Sullivan (David Tarmey 79), Lee Devitt (Connor Wilson 79), Trpimir Vrljicak (Mark Byrne 61); Yoyo Mahdy. 

 

Subs not used: Colin Conroy, Joseph Hanson, Benjamin Lee, Mark Walsh, Carl Williams 

 

Booked: Martin 55, O’Connor 86. 

 

Referee: John S. Walsh (Wexford). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett. 

 

Mint+ Man of the Match: Richard Ferizaj.