Match Report - Wexford Fc 2 Bray Wanderers 0

Posted on 1st March 2025 at 09:42

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Wexford FC 2 Bray Wanderers 0

A goal late in each period saw Bray fall to their first SSE Airtricity First Division defeat of the 2025 season.

On a heavy pitch, Wexford took the points on Friday night at Ferrycarrig Park.

Having not played last week due to the game with UCD being called off, the Seasiders were unchanged from the line-up who defeated Longford 1-0 away at Bishopsgate two weeks ago.

The only change came on the bench were Irish U17 striker Billy O’Neill came in.

In a tight opening period with clear cut chances at a premium, Mike Rowe fired over for the hosts when well placed in the tenth minute.

Jimmy Corcoran than gathered Dean Larkin’s glancing header on 23 before Rowe steered a header wide on 32.

The Slaneysiders went ahead in the final minute of the half.

With Ryan Kelly down injured with s head injury off the right of the penalty area, play was allowed continue. Kaylem Harnett was played in. He cut the ball back from the right by-line and found Rowe.

Controlling with his first touch, the attacker’s second touch saw him shoot from 15-yards. Jimmy Corcoran got his fingertips to the ball. But could not prevent it finding the top right hand corner of the net.

Wanderers made a triple charge at the interval - bringing on O’Neill, Rhys Knight, and Jamie Duggan.

They were almost rewarded in the 48th minute. But Paul Martin pulled off a fine reaction save to push Cian Curtis’ 14-yard drive around the post.

Then in the 51st minute, Calum Costello’s low attempt was parried away by Martin. Rhys Knight’s follow up was blocked then Costello’s effort was charged down – with his penalty/corner claims resulting in a yellow card.

Seconds later at the other end, Kelly’s towering header forced a superb diving save out of Corcoran at the expense of a corner.

Just after the hour, Costello’s 22-yard free was gathered by Martin.

Then in the 62nd minute, Costello blocked Luke Kehir’s header off a corner before the line and hacked clear.

With the second score of the match always going to prove crucial, it went the Purple and Gold’s way in the 68th minute.

Kelly was played through on the left of the box. Although he appeared not to be getting to the ball, he was challenged by Max Murphy.

Referee Mark Moynihan deemed it a foul, pointed to the spot and booked the Bray defender.

Rowe lashed the penalty to the net.

The Green and White’s had the opportunity to pull one back five minutes into time added on. But Curtis was thwarted by Martin in a one on one.

Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Darragh Dunne (Josh Lyons 86), Robert McCourt, Dean Larkin, James Crawford; Zayd Abada, Jack Larkin; Mikie Rowe, Kaylem Harnett (Darragh Levingston 67), Ryan Kelly (Filip Wasilewski 86); Aaron Dobbs (Luke Kehir 18).

Subs not used: Henry Cromack, Mark Imiren, Harry Sherlock, Ryan Butler, Alex Moody

Booked: Kelly 27, Dean Larkin 43, Abada 60, Kehir 72, Jack Larkin 77, Rowe 90 + 1.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Kyle Degelman (Jamie Duggan half time); Rhys Bartley (Conor Knight 72), Cian Doyle; Thomas Considine (Billy O'Neill half time), Richard Ferizaj (Rhys Knight half time), Calum Costello (Guillermo Almirall 79); Cian Curtis.

Subs not used: Harvey Warren, Jordan Tallon, Phillip Cooney, Stephen McGuinness.

Booked: Costello 51, Doyle 59, Max Murphy 68.

Referee: Mark Moynihan (Dublin).

Pictures: Vincent Kirwan.