Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Finn Harps

Finn Harps grabbed a crucial three points tonight with a hard-fought victory over ten-men Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. Stephen Parkhouse was the hero for the Donegal side as he converted a second-half penalty to stretch the gap between Harps and the relegation zone to seven points.

The first half was an evenly contested affair with both sides passing the ball well and using the width and breadth of the pitch. Few real chances came either sides way in the first half hour. The last ten minutes of the first half saw a flurry of chances for both sides.

In the 37th minute, Harps went close through Stephen Parkhouse. After a Mark Duggan free was cleared by Harps, Gary Beckett’s pass from the halfway line set up Parkhouse. The striker advanced on goal. Once he made it into the box, he drove the ball straight at keeper Alan Gough who’s feet stopped the ball.

Three minutes later, Bray had the best chance of the first half. A smart one-two between Derek Pender and Daryl Robson. Robson then played the ball into the box for the run of Pender. James Gallagher raced off the line and easily blocked Pender’s shot. The ball was then put out for a corner by Mark Mukendi.

In the 43rd minute, Harps’ Beckett played the ball into Neil McCafferty who was 25-yards from goal. McCafferty switched the ball to his right foot before striking for goal. His swerving shot was tipped away by Gough at full-stretch.

In stoppage time, Bray’s Gary Cronin had another chance. Patrick Kavanagh slid the ball into the path of Gavin Whelan. Whelan charged to the goal-line before crossing to the far post. Cronin connected with the cross but his header looped over.

Derek Pender was sent off in the 55th minute after a late challenge on Michael Funston. Pender had been booked in the first half for another foul on Funston.

The next chance fell to Finn Harps on the hour mark. A simple clearance was messed up by Kevin Doherty and the ball fell kindly for Declan Boyle who ran into the box. As Gough charged off his line, Boyle attempted to square the ball to Parkhouse but an excellent Gavin Whelan tackle put the ball out for a corner.

Five minutes later, Bray had a chance out of nothing. Harps gave the ball away and Doherty played the ball to Daryl Robson on the edge of the box. He shot quickly and, with Gallagher stranded, Robson’s strike cracked off the underside of the bar and bounced clear.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute. Mukendi’s long throw from the right landed in the Bray box and a penalty was awarded for holding, Mark Duggan was the offender. Stephen Parkhouse stepped up and calmly slotted ball into the bottom right corner, sending Alan Gough the wrong way.

Bray could not get back into the game after that. The closest they came was when a Finn Harps deflection struck Kevin Doherty and forced James Gallagher to scrape the ball over the bar. Finn Harps held on to claim the three points that take them closer to safety in the Premier Division. Bray, on the other hand, continue to stagnate after their exit from the FAI Cup.

Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Derek Pender, Kevin Doherty, Ray Kenny, Gary Cronin; Paddy Kavanagh, Mark Duggan, Gavin Whelan, Daryl Robson; Jake Kelly (Aidan O’Keefe ’85), Ger Rowe (Andy Myler ’85).
Subs not used: Chris O'Connor, Colm Tresson, Alan Cawley.

Bookings: Pender (43), Rowe (82).
Sending off: Pender (55).

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Marc Mukendi, Aaron Labonte, Declan Boyle, Shaun Holmes; Michael Funston, Neil McCafferty, Shaun McGowan, Chris Breen (David Tyrell ’87); Gary Beckett (Conor Gethins ‘75), Syephen Parkhouse.
Subs not used: Gavin Cullen, Stuart Malcolm, Austin Friel.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).

Attendance: 1,000 (estimate).

Man of the match: Stephen Parkhouse (Finn Harps ).