Report: Bray Wanderers 1 - 0 Finn Harps

Bray Wanderers claimed their first win, and goal, of the campaign with a one nil win over Finn Harps at the Carlisle Grounds. Patrick Kavanagh and Chris O'Connor were the heroes in this closely fought battle. Kavanagh grabbed the only goal and O'Connor made the vital saves, including a penalty from Conor Gethins, to secure the points for Wanderers.

Bray made a flying start to the game, twice going close inside the first five minutes. After three minutes, Chris O'Connor's long kick was knocked on by a Harps defender and Rowe collected the dropped ball. He controlled well and curled a shot goalwards from the edge of the area but his effort went just wide of the far post. A minute later, Kavanagh ran to the goal-line before pulling the ball back for Alan Cawley. The midfielder shot first time but his effort was palmed away by James Gallagher.

On 30 minutes, Harps went close with their first chance when Gethins played the ball on for Chris Breen who ran into the box. He shot from 18 yards but keeper O'Connor was equal to the effort. Four minutes later Harps created a glorious chance. Gerry Gill played the ball out to the right for Gethins. The attacker ran forward and played a brilliant ball across the face of goal but no player was on hand to finish it off and the ball was put out by Ronan Ivory for a corner.

Bray started the second half brightly and on 48 minutes Patrick Kavanagh latched onto Ronan Ivory’s long ball, beating the Harps offside trap. He then lobbed the out-rushing Gallagher from the edge of the box to get Bray’s first goal of the season.

The match sprang into life then. On 51 minutes, Harps nearly equalised. Conor Gethins struck his free-kick from 25 yards and with keeper O’Connor beaten, his shot struck the post. Two minutes later, Bray’s Ger Rowe went close when he was fed the ball by Mark Duggan on the edge of the box. He trapped the ball and fired goalwards but Gallagher saved easily.

In the 58th minute, Harps went close again. Shaun McGowan lobbed the ball over the Bray defence and Tony Shields was left unmarked to head wide from six yards. A minute later, Harps were awarded a penalty after Derek Foran tripped Chris Breen in the box. Conor Gethins stepped up but his weak effort was easily parried by O’Connor and cleared.

In the 66th minute, Harps had another chance. Chris Breen flicked the ball on for Mark Brolly who cut into the box from the right. He evaded two challenges before firing over from 12 yards.

Bray held on for the three points and they now move off the bottom of the table and up to ninth. Harps have lost all their away games this season but remain in seventh on six points. Up next for Bray are Bohemians at Dalymount Park while Finn Harps take on Shamrock Rovers at Finn Park. Both matches are on next Friday.

Bray Wanderers: Chris O'Connor; Ronan Ivory; Kevin Doherty, Derek Foran, Gary Cronin; Paddy Kavanagh, Mark Duggan, Gavin Whelan, Alan Cawley, Gary McCabe (Colm Tresson 79); Ger Rowe (Paul Dunphy 83).
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Ray Kenny, Andy Myler.

Booked: McCabe (55).

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Sean Roddy (Marc Mukendi 76), Shaun Holmes, Aaron Labonte, Stuart Malcolm; Gerry Gill (Marc Brolly 56), Shaun Williams, Shaun McGowan, Tony Shields (Michael Funston 79); Chris Breen, Conor Gethins.
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Declan Boyle.

Booked: Brolly (70), Mukendi (83).

Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).
Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)
Man of the Match: Chris O’Connor (Bray Wanderers).