Finn Harps 2 Bray Wanderers 2
Storm Floris may have impacted Donegal on Bank Holiday Monday.
But it was Cian Curtis who helped Bray to a storming finish and claim a point for just the second time in the 2025 SSE Airtricity First Division season.
Wanderers had grabbed a 95th minute winner against Treaty United last Friday at the Carlisle Grounds.
Yet, the Seagulls left it even later to come from 2-0 down against Finn Harps on and leave Finn Park with a hard-earned point.
Six minutes of additional time were initially added.
But with a booking to the home coaching staff (90 + 1), and Idir Yacine Zerrouk (90 + 2) yellow carded, and the treatment to Zerrouk in injury time (over a minute), the clock ticked past 96 minutes.
The visitors were awarded a free in the 97th minute. Jimmy Corcoran played it short to Max Murphy who sent a cross into the box.
Gradi Lomboto almost headed into his net with the ball just flying past the post.
From Max Murphy’s 98th minute driven corner, Curtis got free at the corner of the six-yard area to steer a header goalwards.
Home goalkeeper Lorenzo Piaia Barbosa got a parry, but the ball found the net at the near post to spark wild celebrations in the Wicklow club’s camp.
The goal also continued Wanderers' record breaking run of scoring in 23 successive matches.
From the side who defeated Treaty, there were two changes to the away starting line-up.
Justin Ferizaj was handed his full League debut while Curtis led the line in attack.
There were also two changes on the bench, with Rhys Knight returning while goalkeeper Ben Clark also made the nine substitutes.
With the wind a major factor, the Donegal outfit played with the advantage in the opening period.
With just eight minutes on the clock, Hans Kamta Mpongo evaded a challenge off the left channel. Corcoran made the partial block with Max Murphy hacking clear before the line.
But the home team went ahead route one style in the tenth minute.
Barbosa’s long goal-kick bounced forward just offside the box. Skipper Tomy McNamee gets clear (claims for offside were turned down due to the goal-kick) and he lobbed Corcoran from the edge of the box.
As expected, with the wind at their backs, the Green and Whites were much better after the interval.
In the 48th minute, Corcoran’s free was helped on. Curtis got behind a defender. His drive was pushed out for a corner by Barbosa.
From Max Murphy’s delivery, Cantwell headed over the bar.
Yet, Harps doubled their lead on 52.
Against the wind, Joel Bradley-Walsh’s free from the halfway line held up and curled into the box. Jamie Duggan’s attempted clearing header inadvertently went backwards and past Corcoran for an Own Goal.
However, the Seasiders showed the character of the team and staff to rally.
In the 69th minute, Paul Murphy’s lofted ball was headed forward by Duggan. Curtis held off his man to get in a shot which Barbosa pushed out for a corner.
From Max Murphy’s out swinging corner flighted from the right wing, Paul Murphy got free to power in an eight-yard header to the net.
With their tails up, Bray pressed for an equaliser.
In the 72nd minute, substitute Guillermo Almirall set Billy O’Neill clear on the right channel. In the penalty area, he squared but the covering Josh Cullen’s clearance feel to Almirall. The Spaniard’s right footed volley was superbly pushed round the post by Barbosa.
The away team went agonisingly close to a leveller on 77.
Captain Kilian Cantwell dinked into the box off the right. Curtis nodded down. The ball broke to Rhys Bartley. The midfielder controlled with his first touch. He shot from 15-yards with his second touch only for the ball to crash back off the crossbar.
Just days after signing his first senior contract, Cristiano Bramley earned his senior debut when coming off the bench on the 85th minute.
And the teenager was part of the celebrations for Curtis’ dramatic injury time equaliser.
Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia Barbosa; Josh Cullen, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Kieran Cooney; Max Hutchison, Tony McNamee; Gradi Lomboto, Gavin McAteer (Oran Brogan 83), Idir Yacine Zerrouk; Hans Kamta Mpongo (Gavin Gilmore 75).
Subs not used: Kevin Jordan, Darragh Coyle, Adam McDaid, Daniel Cunningham, Seaghan McCormick, Ibrahima-Pokou Bangoura, Corey Sheridan.
Booked: Cooney 32, Eamon Curry (Coach 90 + 1), Zerrouk 90 + 2.
Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Jamie Duggan (Cristiano Bramley 85), Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle (Guillermo Almirall 64); Billy O'Neill (Rhys Knight 85), Sean Brennan, Justin Ferizaj (Richard Ferizaj 64); Cian Curtis.
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Conor Knight, Benjamin Fagbemi, Stephen McGuinness, Benjamin Clark.
Booked: Max Murphy 65, Almirall 86, O’Neill 90 + 8.
Referee: Marc Lynch (Galway).
Pictures: Stefan Teehan.
Share this post: