League Report: Cobh Ramblers 1 - 2 Bray Wanderers

Dylan O’Connell Reports from St Colman’s Park

Bray Wanderers took another step towards the First Division title on Monday night with a 2-1 away win over Cobh Ramblers.

Goals from Joe Doyle and club captain Aaron Barry gave the Seagulls three points in East Cork while Charlie Lyons provided the consolation for the Ramblers.

A succession of corners inside the first ten minutes saw Dylan Barnett cause a number of problems for Cobh. Each time there was a claret and blue jersey at the end to clear away the danger.

Ryan Graydon went very close to giving the Seagulls the lead, but Charlie Lyons was there to head from the goal-line. Minutes later, Gary Shaw did something similar and this time it was the woodwork that denied Bray.

Even though Bray dominated the first half, Cobh were still able to create chances. Darragh Crowley was electric in dragging the play wide and he came close to scoring with a long range shot at Brian Maher. Darryl Walsh tried to pick out Stephen O’Leary with a fine cross on the half hour mark, but Barnett blocked.

The game then exploded into life with a goal in two minutes from both teams. First, as Doyle turned in a corner  from Barrett to give Bray the lead. Cobh surged up the pitch from the restart and won a free. Hurley whipped in a ball which found an unmarked Charlie Lyons who turned it in to level the game.

Five minutes into the second half and Sean Barron was relieved to see a curling shot by Doyle hit the roof of the net after the Bray forward twisted free out wide.

Lee Devitt almost poked Cobh into the lead as he flicked on a corner by Hurley, but Maher got low to palm the ball out for another corner. The delivery from Hurley wasn’t as precise this time around and Killian Cantwell knocked the ball away.

Minutes later, Lyons set Naythan Coleman out wide and the winger launched a ball to the far post for Stephen O’Leary. Cantwell was on the post and headed the ball away from goal.

This scare woke up the Seagulls who went on to score from a corner minutes later. Barnett with the delivery once again, and at the end of the ball was club captain Aaron Barry to put the ball in.

Maher’s combined reflexes and handling kept Bray in the lead as he got low and punched a shot from Conor Drinan to safety. As Devitt got forward and tried to tap in the rebound, Barry covered and cleared.  

The full-time whistle put Gary Cronin’s side five points clear at the summit of the First Division table with five games left for the Seagulls.

Cobh Ramblers: Sean Barron, John Kavanagh, Stephen O’Leary (Conor Drinan 75), Charlie Lyons, Pierce Philips, Dave Hurley, Naythan Coleman, Lee Devitt (Christoper O’Leary 80), Darryl Walsh, Darragh Crowley, Greg Henry.

Subs not used: Gavin Ryan, Kevin Taylor, Ian Turner, Cathal Crowley, Martin Coughlan.

Booked: Lee Devitt (75).

Bray Wanderers: Brian Maher, John Ross Wilson, Dylan Barnett, Killian Cantwell, Aaron Barry, Ryan Graydon, Callum Thompson (Darragh Lynch 80), Joe Doyle, Gary Shaw (Derek Daly 80), Jack Watson (Paul Keegan 71), Luke Lovie.

Subs not used: Adam Hayden, Tristan Noack Hoffmann, Cian Maher, Marlon Marishta.

Booked: Luka Lovic (50).

Referee: Oliver Moran.

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Dylan Barnett.