League Report: Bray Wanderers 2 - 2 Finn Harps

Andrew Dempsey reports from the Carlisle Grounds & you can view Paul Dolan's photo gallery here.

Bray Wanderers have almost secured a place in the First Division playoffs following a thrilling 2-2 draw against Finn Harps at home on Friday night. 

The Seagulls can officially secure a top-five finish next Friday night if they defeat Cobh Ramblers away in their final league game of the campaign.

But a draw would likely be enough given their far superior goal difference over Finn Harps - and that requires the Co Donegal side to win their remaining two league games against Wexford and Treaty United.

Though the task in front of Bray could have been a lot different if they did not come from behind twice to draw with Harps on Friday evening in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Despite chasing shadows for vast swathes of the first half, Harps took an unlikely lead into the interval when Tony McNamee opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Guillermo Almirall levelled it for the hosts just 85 seconds into the second period before Success Edogun scored from the spot to retake the advantage for the Finn Park outfit.

Edogun’s goal looked as though it would win the tie, only for Shane Griffin to score less than two minutes to salvage a draw for the Wanderers before a crowd of 1,319 at the Carlisle.

The point inches Bray closer to a playoff and their Head of Football Pat Devlin said: “The whole thing is starting to sizzle now and it’s great. To cap it off, it would be great to get into the playoffs… 

“I think we need to get into the playoffs as a club. Not for me or the players, but for the club to develop it and move along. We’re developing the club and it’s not just about the team, it’s for the volunteers, academy and the fans. They deserve that and I hope we can get there.

“If we are fortunate enough to get there, I think we can see a bit of a buzz back here again. It is going well on and off the pitch and great credit goes to everyone because it is a huge effort.”

Bray started Friday’s clash against Harps with a spring in their step early on.

And the Seagulls could have opened the scoring as early as the 13th minute when Cristian Magerusan did well to latch onto a long ball from Kilian Cantwell before forcing a smart save from Harps teenage keeper Oisin Cooney.

Cooney, who was on Ireland under-19 duty as recently as Wednesday in Croatia this week, was called into action again just past the half hour to deny Magerusan at the near post. 

The 17-year-old was busy at that point though looked assured in front of a big crowd by the Seaside as he thwarted Darren Craven soon after with a strong save.

And Bray’s inability to take their chances cost them in the 36th minute when McNamee broke the deadlock for Darren Murphy’s men.

The midfielder finished well after being played in by a superbly weighted Sean Patton pass into the box after Bray defender Cole Omorehiomwan misjudged Jamie Watson’s initial pass to Patton. 

Harps had further chances to extend their lead before the break with Bray keeper Jimmy Corcoran forced to stop Edogun ferocious hit that looked set to rattle the net.

That was after Watson saw his pass to Patton in the six-yard box cut out at the final moment by Harry Groome.

Bray, however, regrouped at the break and found themselves level in the 47th minute when Spanish midfielder Almirall slotted home after some good play down the left flank between Zach Nolan and Magerusan unlocked the visitors.  

Harps recovered though and threatened with long-range efforts from Luke O’Brien and Ryan Rainey that went over Corcoran’s goal.

Bray also went close via Magerusan who shot on the turn but his effort was put wide by Cooney who impressed throughout.

But Harps thought they won it in the 73rd minute when Edogun scored from the penalty spot after being clumsily felled in the box by Nolan.

That lead lasted just two minutes however with Griffin latching onto a Cantwell long ball before giving Cooney no chance in the Harps goal.

And that was how it finished, though Finn Harps are not ready to give up the ghost of their playoff fight just yet.

“To be still there or thereabouts with two games left is incredible,” Murphy added post-match. “They deserve credit for that and I’m not going to be hard on them after this evening.

“I asked them to come here and show belief, and they did that.”

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Killian Cantwell, Max Murphy, Zach Nolan, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillermo Almirall Peñalver (Conor Knight 65), Darren Craven, Shane Griffin, Harry Groome, John O'Sullivan; Cristian Magerusan.

Subs not used:Stephen McGuinness, Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Josh McGlone, Zayd Abada, Ben Feeney, Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight.

Booked:Harry Groome (82).

Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Luke O'Brien, Jamie Watson; Patrick Ferry, Max Hutchison, Tony McNamee, Ryan Rainey (Gavin McAteer 78); Success Edogun (Max Johnston 88), Sean Patton.

Subs not used:Corey Sheridan, Kevin Jordan, Conor Tourish, Dylan McAteer, Gavin Gilmore, Bruce Strachan.

Booked: Patrick Ferry (24), Noe Baba (40).

Referee: Marc Lynch.

Attendance:1319.

extratime.com Player of the Match:Oisin Cooney (Finn Harps).

In Pictures: Derry City 1 - 1 Bohemians https://t.co/5Jd8nQhodfpic.twitter.com/952iPqhDYX

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) October 12, 2024