Finn Harps 1 Bray Wanderers 1
Bray remained unbeaten after three SSE Airtricity League First Division games of the 2023 season following a hard earned draw away to Finn Harps.
The Seagulls fell behind for the first time in all competitions in the campaign in the first period at Finn Park.
But rallied to draw level before half time on Friday evening before having to settle for a draw.
Having named the same starting line-ups in the victories over Treaty United and Kerry FC, the Green and White’s made one change.
Eoin Farrell was handed his full league debut for the club at right-back with Len O’Sullivan dropping to the bench. That saw Max Murphy move to left-full. Zach Donohue was included amongst the substitutes in place of Ben Feeney.
Somewhat against the run of play, the Donegal outfit took the lead on 17 minutes.
Ellis Farrar was adjudged to have been fouled just outside the box by Harry Groome. From a well-worked free with Seamus Keogh, Ryan Flood’s placed effort went on off the bottom of the left-hand post.
But Bray were back on level terms on the half hour.
Ger Shortt surged down the left flank and crossed for Chris Lyons. The attacker chested the ball down into the path of Groome who fired in his first goal for the club with a stunning half volley from the edge of the box.
With 14 minutes of normal time left on the clock, Murphy burst forward. But his stinging shot on the run from the right corner of the penalty area was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Tim-Oliver Heimer.
Harps had their manager Dave Rogers booked in the 87th minute for entering the Wanderers dug-out in the 87th minute to retrieve the ball.
Yet, they almost snatched an unlikely victory in the last minute of stoppage time.
Flood whipped in a cross to the back stick. But Keith Cowan glanced a header wide.
FINN HARPS: Tim-Oliver Heimer; Caoimhin Porter, Keith Cowan, Daithi McCallion, Ellis Farrar; Ryan Rainey (Sean O’Donnell 84), Ryan Flood, Noe Baba; Seamas Keogh (Katlego Mashigo 65), Michael Harris; Okwuy Okwute (Cian Lynch 58).
Subs not used: Filip Fjrdheim Da Silva, Kevin Jordan, Damian Duffy, Jamie McKinney, Oisin Farrell.
Booked: Baba 51, Okwute 55, Porter 81, Rogers 87.
BRAY WANDERERS: Alex Moody; Eoin Farrell (Len O’Sullivan 65), Cole Omorehiomwan, Dane Massey, Max Murphy; Guillermo Almirall (Luca Lovic 57), Harry Groome (Joe Power); Conor Crowley, Jake Walker, Chris Lyons (Callum Thompson 65), Ger Shortt (Conor Davis 77).
Subs not used: Jack Hudson, Conor Knight, Zach Donohue, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Shortt (57).
Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin).
Pictures by Clare McCahill.
