- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, May 12 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from the Carlisle Grounds
Bray Wanderers surged to fourth in the First Division table thanks to a 2-0 win against Finn Harps at the Carlisle Grounds.
Dane Massey gave the Seagulls a first-half lead after getting on the end of a Ger Shortt corner-kick routine.
And in the second-half, despite waves of Finn Harps pressure, Wanderers sealed a win against their luckless foes with a late Harry Groome strike.
Reeling from two successive 4-1 losses in a row, Finn Harps made two changes to their starting XI against Cobh Ramblers.
Sean O’Donnell came in to make make his first senior start for Harps, while Ryan Flood also returned to the fold from injury.
Bray also made two swaps – with Darren Craven and Lorcan Fitzgerald dropping out for Shortt and Cole Omorehiomwan.
And it was Ian Ryan’s side who started the better of the two teams.
Luka Lovic had the first shot on goal – but his long-range effort was blocked by a Harps defender.
But just moments after the County Donegal side should have taken the lead through Seamas Keogh.
Keogh was found free inside the penalty area but his sizzling shot was saved well by keeper Alex Moody.
And the Seagulls then lost midfielder Guillermo Almirral to injury and he was replaced by Darren Craven.
Craven’s impact was telling as he proved to be an attacking threat with shots from distance.
But the Seagulls opener came from an unlikely source as Massey found the back of the net in the 20th minute after Harps failed to clear a corner.
Shortt’s corner was met at the back post by Ben Feeney – and the former Dundalk left-back found the net with a neat finish at Tim Hiemer’s near post.
Craven then went close again as the half came to an end, but his long range strike on goal went harmlessly wide.
Harps emerged a far greater threat in the second period although, with sub Okwute inches away from scoring an equaliser.
The Stockport County loanee met Ryan Flood’s inviting cross into the box but he miscued his connection with the ball as Bray keeper Alex Moody cleared.
And Moody was called into action again just before the hour mark – but there was little he could do as the Co Donegal men went mightily close to a leveller.
Striker O’Donnell got his head on a Caoimhin Porter after the Derry City loanee raced down the left flank – but it clipped off the woodwork and stayed out of the goal.
Sub Harris, who replaced Okwute just minutes into the striker’s cameo, then went close but his intended effort on goal was crowded out by Omorehiomwan.
Keogh then went close to level as the final stages of the tie approached, but his effort was blocked by a combination of Moody and Omorehiomwan as Bray lived a charmed life.
But Harps were dealt a sucker-punch in the 86th minute as Groome found the net for the hosts.
The former Wexford man was found free at the back post by Feeney’s cross and he made no mistake from inside the penalty area to fire his effort into the top corner.
And that put the gloss on Wanderers first win in five games – while Harps fell to their third loss on the trot as they sit in ninth.
Bray Wanderers: Alex Moody; Eoin Farrell (Leon Ajala 87), Jack Hudson, Dane Massey, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillemo Almirral (Darren Craven 8), Conor Davis (Callum Thompson 68), Harry Groome, Luka Lovic, Ger Shortt (David Webster 87); Ben Feeney.
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Zach Nolan, Conor Knight, Daniel Chukwu, Ben Clarke.
Booked: Cole Omorehiomwan (32), Harry Groome (70).
Finn Harps: Tim Oliver Hiemer; Keith Cowan, Ryan Flood, Daithi McCallion, Shane McMonagle, Caoimhin Porter (Brendan McLaughlin 90) (Kevin Jordan 90); Noe Baba, Seamas Keogh, Katlego Mashigo; Filip da Silva (Daniel Okwute 46 (Michael Harris 71), Sean O'Donnell (Damian Duffy 76).
Subs not used: Oisin Farrell, Caoimhin Bonner.
Booked: Keith Cowan (15).
Referee: Daniel Murphy.
Attendance: 700 (Estimate).
extratime.com Player of the Match: Harry Groome (Bray Wanderers).
