Bray Wanderers 3 Treaty United 2
Sixteen-year-old Richard Ferizaj and older brother Justin (on his debut) combined as Bray claimed a last gasp winner.
The siblings linked in the 95th minute when the younger brother turned in the 20-yard half volley by his relative to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory over ten-man Treaty on Friday.
In front of a crowd that exceeded 1,000 spectators for the eighth successive home game at the Carlisle Grounds, Wanderers remain in joint-second in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division while United still occupy five spot – the last play-off place.
Just when it seemed the spoils would be shared by the seaside, the Green and White’s claimed their sixth win in a row in all competition’s.
Max Murphy sent a free-kick into the danger zone. It was headed clear. But only to the waiting Justin Ferizaj.
He struck a right-footed half volley in the ‘D towards goal. Richard Ferizaj stuck out a leg and diverted the ball past a wrong-footed but diving Corey Chambers from six-yards to spark wild celebration from the home faithful.
The Seasiders had looked to have won the tie in the 76th minute.
After having a tackle near the right corner of his own penalty area, Cian Doyle ball over the top from his own half.
Despite claims for offside by the Shannonsiders, home substitute Cian Curtis lifted the ball over the advancing Chambers from 25-yards – with the ball bouncing into an empty net.
But the Limerick side rallied and drew level in the 81st minute.
Substitute Trpimir Vrljicak’s touch inadvertently sent the ball towards the Bray box. Fellow reserve Joseph Hanson reacted and burst into the space before blasting into the roof of the net from 12-yards.
From the team who defeated Longford Town at Bishopsgate last week, there was two changes for the Wicklow outfit.
Doyle returned from suspension while Danú Kinsella Bishop was restored to the attack.
Irish schools international Alan Kizenga returned to the bench.
New signing Justin Ferizaj was included amongst the substitutes after receiving international clearance.
The visitors had taken the lead in the 14th minute with virtually their first attack of note.
Despite home claims for offside, Patrick Ferry broke free off the right. He then centred low for Mark Byrne to bundle in.,
But Treaty were controversially reduced to ten men in the 25th minute.
Referee Oliver Moran played advantage before Billy O’Neill was brought down inches from the line of the box by a series of covering United players.
The match official produced a red card for the challenging Steven Healy.
(The decision was overturned on appeal on Saturday August 2).
Wanderers made the extra man count two minutes into the second period.
Doyle’s free hit the wall. But Conor Knight drilled low through a crowded goal mouth from 22-yards off the rebound.
It extended Wanderers’ club record run of scoring in 22 successive games in all competitions.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley (Guillermo Almirall 64), Cian Doyle; Billy O'Neill, Sean Brennan (Richard Ferizaj 84), Conor Knight (Justin Ferizaj 64); Danú Kinsella Bishop (Cian Curtis 45).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Alain Kizenga, Benjamin Fagbemi, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Bartley 54, Paul Murphy 75, O’Neill 88.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O'Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh (Lee Lynch 78), Ben Lynch; Lee Devitt, Connor Wilson (Joseph Hanson 58); Steven Healy, Colin Conroy; Patrick Ferry (Fionn Doherty 58), Mark Byrne (Trpimir Vrljicak 58).
Subs not used: Richkov Boevi, Nikodem Kozlowski, Dean Owens, Mark Murphy, Matthew Boylan.
Booked: Byrne 46, O’Connor 90 + 4.
Sent off: Healy 25 * Overturned on appeal *
Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Max Murphy.
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