Cobh Ramblers 3 Bray Wanderers 1
Two second half goals saw Bray slump to a second SSE Airtricity League First Division defeat in a row.
The Seagulls took a first half lead on Friday evening through their first converted penalty of the 2022 season.
But Cobh levelled by half time at St. Colman’s Park on Friday evening before the rain descended in the second period with Ramblers running out 3-1 winners.
There was six changes to the Wicklow team that had succumbed to Treaty United last week.
Captain Hugh Douglas made his first start since last April.
There was also full senior debuts for defender Jamie Callaghan and striker Colin Kelly.
Goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness also returned with Kieran Marty Waters and Zak O’Neill making the starting line-up.
Keith Dalton was included amongst the substitutes after injury along with Eoin McPhillips.
After Ben Feeney headed a seventh minute Waters cross over, the Cork side had a chance as Jake Hegarty dragged his low effort wide of the target.
Wanderers went close to breaking the dead-lock in the 24th minute. After good close control by Waters, Kurtis Byrne slipped in Feeney. But his drive was stopped at point blank range by custodian Darragh Burke.
But the Green and White’s did go ahead in the 29th minute. Dan Blackbyrne went down in the box under Conor Drinan’s challenge. Referee David Dunne pointed to the spot with Byrne registering his fourth goal of the campaign.
But hosts responded with Conor McManus blocking Hegarty’s first effort in the 33rd minute with McGuiness making a super save form the follow up.
However, from the corner that follow, Hegarty was allowed a free header that took a deflection off Callaghan on his way to the net.
The second period was ten minutes old when Ramblers hit the front.
Drinan won an initial header. Then reacted to head on again to Luke Desmond on the edge of the box. He then struck a low half volley to the net from 16-yards.
With nine minutes to go, James O’Leary got down the right flank for the home team, but his drive found the side-netting.
With the game in the 87th minute, Cobh secured victory. From a free on the right edge of the box, Darragh O’Sullivan Connell struck the dead-ball. McGuinness got his hand to it but couldn’t prevent the ball finding the net.
Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; John Kavanagh, Harlain Mbayo, Breandan Frahill, Darragh O’Sullivan Connell; Jason Abbott; Luke Desmond (Seán McGrath 86), Dale Holland; James O’Leary, Conor Drinan; Jake Hegarty.
Subs not used: Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh, Justin Eguaibor, James McCarthy, Ciaran Griffin, Michael McCarthy, David Eguaibor, Liam Hopkins, Gavin Ryan.
Booked: Frahill 58, O’Leary 60, Mbayo 79.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Dan Blackbyrne, Hugh Douglas, Jamie Callaghan, Conor McManus; Dean Zambra (Eoin McPhillips 70); Zak O’Neill (Keith Dalton 62), Ben Feeney, Kieran Marty Waters (Darragh Lynch 62); Kurtis Byrne (Jamie Hollywood 52); Colin Kelly (Callum Thompson 62).
Subs not used: Jack Hudson, Eoin Massey, Conor Knight, Michael Kelly.
Booked: Byrne 40, Zambra 63.
Referee: David Dunne.
Pictures by CobhSport.ie