Bray Wanderers 3 -2 Cobh Ramblers

Bray Wanderers secured their Premier Division status for a fifth consecutive season with a 3-2 win over Cobh Ramblers at the Carlisle Grounds. Sub Gary Cronin proved to be the hero as he grabbed the winner in a dramatic tussle.

Bray had the first chance inside two minutes. Ger Rowe’s pass allowed Alan Cawley to cross onto the forehead of Aidan O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe’s header was on target but Anthony Fennelly was able to smother the ball in the Cobh goal.

Cobh had their first chance of the night when Davin O’Neill was played through on goal but Alan Gough got down well to save. Bray went straight up the other end and the ball landed with Patrick Kavanagh. Kavanagh ran to the goal-line before pulling the ball back for Andy Myler on the penalty spot. Myler dragged his shot across goal but O’Keeffe ran in at the far post to tap the ball in with ten minutes gone.

With eighteen minutes gone, Cobh nearly equalised with a stunning free-kick from Ross Gaynor. His free from the edge of the box looped over the wall and came back off the post. A minute later, Cobh went close again. A cross from the right was headed across his own goal by defender Kevin Doherty. The ball landed with O’Neill at the far post but Gough was there to deny the Ramblers striker.

The Seagulls doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute. O’Keeffe was the scorer once again. Cawley played the ball to the unmarked O’Keeffe on the left and he advanced on goal before lifting the ball over Fennelly from a tight angle.

Cobh pulled one back within two minutes. Alan Carey ran to the goal-line before passing to O’Neill at the near post. O’Neill played the ball back to Greg O’Halloran on the edge of the area who fired across Gough and in off the far post.

Cobh levelled the game in the 27th minute. John Meade’s free from his own half was knocked on by Gaynor for O’Neill. O’Neill controlled and ran at the Bray defence before smashing the ball past Gough. In the 31st minute, another Cobh free went close. It was Carey this time when his free from 25-yards was tipped over by Gough.

Two minutes before the break, Cobh struck the woodwork again. This time O’Neill crossed from the left and Carey met it at the far post but his header crashed off the crossbar and went over.

Bray had the first effort of the second half through Cawley. Cawley’s free from the 25-yards curled around the wall and forced Fennelly to tip the ball round the near post. In the 65th minute Cobh hit the woodwork a third time. Colin O’Brien played a one-two with O’Neill on the edge of the box before firing at goal. Gough pushed the ball onto the crossbar.

Bray re-took the lead in the 72nd minute when sub Gary Cronin knocked the ball home. Gareth Coughlan had tried to chip Fennelly from inside the box but the Cobh keeper tipped the ball away. Unfortunately for the visitors, the ball landed with Cronin at the far post and he slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Cobh could not come close to levelling the scores again and Bray held on for the three points.

Bray Wanderers: Alan Gough; Gavin Whelan, Derek Foran (Daryl Robson 74), Kevin Doherty, Derek Pender; Paddy Kavanagh (Gareth Coughlan 46), Colm Tresson, Alan Cawley, Aidan O'Keeffe (Gary Cronin 69); Ger Rowe, Andy Myler.
Subs not used: Chris O'Connor, John Mulroy.

Bookings: None.

Cobh Ramblers: Anthony Fennelly; Ken Coleman, Kevin Murray, Shane Guthrie, John Meade; Alan Carey (Alan Kearney 90+1), Greg O’Halloran, Colin O'Brien (Graham Cummins 85), Michael Mulconry (Michael O‘Shea 74); Ross Gaynor, Davin O'Neill.
Subs not used: Shane Barrett, Conor Meade.

Bookings: Gaynor (63), Carey (85).

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).

Attendance: 350 (estimate).

Man of the match: Alan Gough (Bray Wanderers).