Match Report - Finn Harps 1 Bray Wanderers 2

 

A first away League win over Finn Harps since May 2017 consolidated Bray’s position in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division play-offs. 

A single point separated the two club before kick-off at Finn Park in fourth and fifth positions in the table. 

A debut goal by midfielder John O’Sullivan gave the Seagulls a first half lead on Friday evening in Ballybofey. 

Although Jamie Watson popped up with an equaliser just before the interval, Guillermo Almirall’s second goal of the campaign sealed the points midway through the second period. 

From the Wanderers line-up who defeated Wexford last week, there was one change. New signing O’Sullivan was given his debut in midfield. 

On the bench, Evan Osam returned after injury while Alain Kizenga was also included amongst the substitutes. 

The Wicklow side started well. Almirall gathered a Max Murphy throw off the right. But the Spaniard’s third minute cross-shot came back off the crossbar. 

Three minutes later, Ben Feeney and Almirall combined to find Kieran Cruise on the edge of the box. But a block Conor Tourish tackle saw his effort go wide for a corner. 

Referee Aaron O’Dowd played a good advantage in the 24th minute when Almirall was fouled. The play saw Max Murphy thwarted by Tim Hiemer’s save round the upright. 

But from the flag kick that followed, Bray took the lead. Max Murphy’s delivery was net by the head of Harry Groome who ghosted in from the edge of the box. 

O’Sullivan – close in - got a touch which was partially saved by Hiemer. But O’Dowd awarded the goal after it was deemed by his Assistant Conor Fitzgibbon to have crossed the goal-line. 

Soon after at the other end, Success Edogun’s cross from the right was met by Sean Patton’s back heel. But the ball bounced past the back post. 

However, the hosts restored parity in the 41st minute. 

Jamie Watson broke from the right of the halfway. He exchanged passes with David Cawley with the full-back going along the 18-yard area were his reverse low left footed shot appeared to deceive Jimmy Corcoran on it’s way to the net. 

In a tight second half, Corcoran helped the away team stay level just two minutes after the restart. 

He saved Cawley’s attempt by getting down low. But the Harps’ players follow up flew wide. 

The Green and White’s went back in front again in the 67th minute. 

From Cruise’s corner from the right left footed, it dropped deep. Almirall controlled. But was blocked off. He then evaded a challenge before drilling low through a crowded goalmouth via deflection. 

Paul Murphy almost added a third in the 88th minute when he sent a header narrowly over the bar off a corner 

With five minutes of additional time added on, the final whistle came in the seven minute of stoppage time. 

It marked Wanderers first away win since last May. 

It also brought back to back victories for the first time since April. 

But more importantly, it gave the Seasiders a six-point cushion with ten fixtures remaining in the race for the play-offs. 

 

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer Conor Tourish, Noe Baba (Patrick Ferry 88), Matthew Makinson; Jamie Watson, Max Hutchison, David Cawley (Aaron McLaughlin 81), Max Johnston (Luke O'Brien 67); Tony McNamee; Success Edogun, Sean Patton (Gavin McAteer 88). 

 

Subs not used: Kevin Jordan, Ryan Rainey, Stephen Doherty, Gavin Gilmore, Oisin Cooney. 

 

Booked: Patton 23, Johnston 24, Cawley 36, Hutchinson 90 + 1, Kevin McHugh (coach) 90 + 3. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Killian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Zach Nolan; Guillermo Almirall, Darren Craven (Cole Omorehiomwan 90), John O'Sullivan (Zayd Abada 81), Harry Groome, Kieran Cruise (Conor Knight 90); Ben Feeney (Peter Grogan 65). 

 

Subs not used: Evan Osam, Alain Kizenga, Luke Smith, Josh McGlone, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Paul Murphy 28, Cruise 56, 

 

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd. 

 

Pictures: Joe Boland (North West NewsPix).