Wexford FC 0 Bray Wanderers 1
For the second time in less than two months, Cian Curtis was the match-winner against Wexford.
Just like at the Carlisle Grounds back in July, the striker’s effort proved to be the difference between the teams on Friday at Ferrycarrig Park.
But the Green and White’s needed a stunning display by goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran to secure all three SSE Airtricity Men's First Division points.
The netminder saved a penalty on the stroke of half time. And went on to register his tenth League clean sheet of the season.
The victory – the 17th in the 2025 campaign so far – took the Wicklow club’s points total to 53 as they consolidated third place in the section.
That’s the best return in the lower flight since the team dropped down in 2018.
From the side knocked out of the FAI Cup by Finn Harps the week previous, the visitors made three changes.
Central defender Harvey Warren made a return after a spell on the sidelines.
Irish Schools international duo Alain Koizenga and Rhys Knight were also restored to the starting line-up.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Clark joined the bench.,
As for the Slaneysiders, they handed a debut to former Seagull Evan Osam.
But they lost attacker Mikie Rowe to injury in the warm-up. His replacement was ex-Wanderer Darragh Levingston, with Wicklow native Ryan Scanlon joining the hosts bench.
Less than four minutes had ticked by when the Seasiders hit the front.
Picking up a ball in his own half wide left. Cian Doyle launched a pass over the top up the middle.
Curtis burst between the home defence. He watched the ball bounce, and swerved to his right before hitting a low right-footed effort from 15-yards past Paul Martin.
A minute later, Rhys Knight found Curtis in the box. But Martin made a fine save to his left.
By the tenth minute, Guillermo Almirall saw his scuffed shot gathered by the custodian off Just Ferizaj’s centre from the left flank.
But Wexford went close to equalising seconds later.
Aaron Dobbs intercepted. His cutback in the area was left by Darragh Levingston for Ben McCormack whose 15-yard placed attempt rattled the bar.
On 16, Almirall got to the right byline to hang up a cross. Doyle rose above an opponent close in but powered his header over.
Two minutes later, Almirall’s shot form the right in the area was deflected with Martin smothering at his near post.
It wasn’t until the 44th minute that the next big moment of action came.
From a quick free off the home teams left channel, Osam whipped over a cross. A header was missed in the box by the away defence. It came to Dobbs who was bundled over by Max Murphy.
But from the 12-yard dead ball. Corcoran sprung to his to keep out Dobbs’ effort.
The second period wasn’t as action packed.
Curtis saw his low strike from the ‘D gathered by Martin on 48.
With 14 minutes remaining, the hosts went close to levelling matters. Substitute Kyal Byrne reacted to a dropping ball into the box.
His reverse pass inside found Dobbs. But Corcoran came out and made the vital block.
With nine minutes to go, Max Murphy broke from the right wing. But his strike from 22-yards was claimed by Martin.
With the contest into the first minute of time added on, Ajibola Oluwabiyi clipped a 25-yard free just wide of the far right hand post.
Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Kaylem Harnett (Conor Levingston 85), Ryan Butler, Robert McCourt, Evan Osam; Matthew O’Brien, Ben McCormack; Ajibola Oluwabiyi, Darragh Levingston (Calum Flynn 61), Filip Wasilewski (Kyal Byrne 70); Aaron Dobbs.
Subs not used: Zayd Abada, Harry Sherlock, Cian Browne, Ryan Scanlon, Michael McCarthy, Alex Moody.
Booked: Oluwabiyi 30, Darragh Levingston 30.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle; Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight 61), Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 73), Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis (Jamie Duggan 82).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Paul Murphy, Benjamin Fagbemi, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen Mc Guinness, Benjamin Clark.
Booked: Doyle 32, Max Murphy 44, Cantwell 78, Corcoran 90 + 2
Referee: Mark Houlihan (Kildare).
Pictures: Harry and Stefan Teehan.
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