- Stuart Connolly
- Sat, Mar 04 2023
Finn Harps and Bray Wanderers shared the spoils in an entertaining encounter at Finn Park. Ryan Flood scored his first goal for his new club before a Harry Groome strike cancelled it out on the half hour.
The second half progressed without a goal, although both sides had their chances as Harps gained their first point under their new manager while Bray occupy second in the table on seven points.
Dave Rogers handed a debut to Noe Baba in midfield. The new signing took the place of Katlego Mashigo in the only change for the hosts while Ian Ryan also made just the one change to his side as Eoin Farrell made his full debut for the Seagulls.
It was the away side who had the better of the early opportunities as Gerard Shortt and Guillermo Almirall went close to the target.
But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of a free kick after Harry Groome tripped Ellis Farrar on the edge of the area. Seamas Keogh set the ball up nicely and Ryan Flood bagged his first goal for the club with a low strike that whacked in off the base of the post.
On the half hour mark, Bray bagged their fifth goal of the campaign as Groome found the back of the net.
Shortt broke free down the left and his ball in was well controlled by Chris Lyons, who chested it down for Groome to strike his first goal of the season into the bottom left corner.
Bray had two more chances before the half-time interval with Jake Walker on the end of both. His first was headed over via a corner while his second attempt was well saved by Tim Heimer at his near post.
Finn Harps carved out the first openings of the second half but found that final touch evaded them in the last steps. Okwute raced towards goal for the first chance but he couldn't get the required connection to beat Alex Moody.
Ryan Rainey had the next strike for the hosts but his shot was hit too high as he looked for his third goal of the campaign.
Katlego Mashigo was next up to try his luck with a pop at goal after the hour mark but his effort was superbly blocked by Cole Omorehiomwan.
Joint top of the league prior to kick-off, Bray would have hoped to extend their 100% record and Max Murphy came very close to his first of the season with 25 minutes to go. His strike from the edge of the area was destined for the top corner and it required a top drawer save from Heimer.
Without a point from their first two, Harps also came close to bagging all three only to see a late Ellis Farrar header float wide of the goal.
The final stretch of the encounter saw both sides create half chances but neither keeper was tested as a draw was a fair outcome.
Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Caoimhin Porter, Keith Cowan, Daithi McCallion, Ellis Farrar; Ryan Rainey(Sean O'Donnell 83), Noe Baba, Ryan Flood; Michael Harris, Seamas Keogh(Katlego Mashigo 64), Okwuy Okwute(Cian Lynch 58).
Subs not used: Oisin Farrell(GK), Filip Fjeldheim Da Silva, Kevin Jordan, Damian Duffy, Jamie McKinney, Sean O'Kane.
Booked: Baba(50), Okwute(55), Porter(80), Rogers(86)
Bray Wanderers: Alex Moody; Eoin Farrell(Len O'Sullivan 65), Dane Massey, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillermo Almirall(Luka Lovic 56), Conor Crowley, Harry Groome(Joseph Power 77), Max Murphy; Jake Walker, Gerard Shortt(Conor Davis 77), Chris Lyons(Callum Thompson 65).
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness(GK), Jack Hudson, Conor Knight, Zach Donohue
Booked: Shortt (57)
Referee: Paul Norton
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Ryan Flood (Finn Harps)
