Bray Wanderers 3 Athlone Town 1
With six SSE Airtricity First Division games to go in the 2025 season, Bray secured a play-off berth.
For the fourth time this campaign, Wanderers defeated Athlone to seal at least fifth place (one point needed for fourth position) in the standings.
Goals early in the two periods did the damage at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday.
For the tenth successive home fixture this year, a crowd that exceeded 1,000 spectators came through the turnstiles – as the attendance figures continue to be the best since the 2014 season
Playing at home for the first time in 28 days, the hosts made two changes from the side beaten last week by UCD.
Both Jamie Duggan and Max Murphy returned to the fill the two full-back spots.
On the bench, both Sean Brennan and Jamie Ryan returned from injury to join the substitutes.
The Green and White’s hit the front right on the tenth minute.
Rhys Bartley won possession to feed Duggan. He threaded a pass along the right flank to Guillermo Almirall.
The Spaniard cut into the box but was blocked off. He then found Cian Doyle just outside the ‘D. His pass out left was slightly deflected to Justin Ferizaj.
The 20-year-old stood up his marker. And used him as a shield to score his first goal for the Wicklow side with a curling 15-yard effort.
Despite dominating the first half, Wanderers didn’t capitalise on their chances.
But with just over 60 seconds on the clock in the second period, it became 2-0.
Harvey Warren dinked a pass along the left channel. Justin Ferizaj gathered and burst infield.
He then slipped a pass to the on-rushing Doyle. He midfielder took a touch before unleashing a 25-yard righted drive that flew into the bottom left corner of the net.
The triumph was sealed in the 57th minute. Duggan kept the ball in play near his right corner flag. And played a pass up the line to Almirall.
His clever back heel evaded a tackle and strode infield, skipping past another tackle.
The 29-year-old flicked a pass to Bartley just outside the home centre circle. Play was then sprayed out left to Justin Ferizaj.
The winger created space to switch play wide right. It picked out Almirall. He controlled with chest then struck a low left footed half volley in from eight yards.
The Westmetah visitors pulled one back in the 59th minute.
From a in swinging corner from the right, the ball was headed out by the Seasiders defence. It dropped to Oisin Duffy who rifled a brilliant 16-yard drive through the crowded goalmouth.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle; Guillermo Almirall (Phillip Cooney 73), Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 67), Justin Ferizaj (Jamie Ryan 87); Cian Curtis (Conor Knight 67).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Paul Murphy, Sean Brennan, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Doyle 33.
Athlone Town: Lee Axworthy Duggan; Reece Webb, Dylan Hand, Jason Folarin Oyenuga, Kyle O'Connor (William Smith 82); Daniel McKenna, Martin Scally, Oisin Duffy (Adam Lennon 82), Gideon Tetteh, Aderinsola Abdul-Lateef Adewale; Dean Williams.
Subs not used: Eoin Sheeran, Noe Baba, Ben Feeney, Bobby Brett, Conor Quinn, Billy Gilmore, Andrew Stuart Trainor.
Booked: Scally 35, McKenna 70, Webb 87, Adewale 90 + 4.
Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Justin Ferizaj.
Share this post: