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Date Time League Season
14 July 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's First Division 2023

Match Report

Wexford win at nine-man Bray Wanderers

Wexford picked up their first ever win at the Carlisle Grounds as they overcame Bray Wanderers 3-0, as three red cards were also dished out on an evening where tempers flaired.

Goals from Kian Corbally and debutant Thomas Oluwa gave the away side a comfortable victory over a lackluste Bray side who looked woeful at the back in truth, summed up by both of the centre halves being sent off. Eoin Kenny added the third goal for the away side in additional time.

The Seagulls could not have imagined a worse start to the game as with just two minutes gone, Wexford took the lead. A simple ball over the top should have been enough for Dane Massey to deal with but instead, he played a horribly weighted ball back to his goalkeeper. McGuinness then mis-controlled and Kian Corbally, who had sensed the threat, nipped in and tapped the ball home into an empty net, a calamity all round for the Bray backline.

Wexford had plenty more chances in the first half, with Corbally unlucky to get his and the “Youths” second as he had a far post drive tapped around the post by McGuinness. 

Sadly, with only ten minutes of the half remaining, an off-the-ball incident between Aaron Dobbs and Dane Massey resulted in the Wexford striker needing to be stretchered off the pitch.

Just before the break came a huge opportunity for Wexford to double their lead with Bray all over the place at the back. Levingston seemingly found himself through on goal after a relatively easy pass in behind. His tame effort was straight at the Bray ‘keeper though and the score remained the same at the break.

The second half was not much better for the home side with the “Wanderers” going down to 10 men. A lovely ball by Hanratty split the Bray defence which led to a foot race between Thomas Oluwa and Massey. There was only ever going to be one winner and the experienced Bray centre back did the only thing he could and scythed down the Wexford forward and was duly given his marching orders.

Wexford now could play the game at their own tempo, and it paid off as only a few minutes after the red card, they doubled their lead. Oluwa picked up the ball about 25 yards from goal and went on a mazy dribble, in and out of the Bray centre halves, before unleashing a powerful left footed strike past the diving McGuinness.

The away side would also go on to finish the game with a man less as Darragh Levingston received two yellow cards, the second for obstructing a free kick from being taken. Just when you thought the referee Marc Lynch was finished though, he brandished his third red card of the evening with only three minutes to go, this time to Jack Hudson for his involvement in a melee, leaving Bray finishing the game with a midfielder, Lovic, covering at the back.

Bray’s night was compounded further as after their striker Chris Lyons had a close-range effort saved right at the death, Wexford went straight up the other end and got their third. This came courtesy of the on-loan Eoin Kenny, only just on for his debut, as he rounded McGuinness to tap home and finish off a fantastic night for the Southeast side.

Bray Wanderers

25Stephen McGuinness Goalkeeper
18Max Murphy Midfielder
3Len O’Sullivan Defender
4Jack Hudson Defender 89'
14Dane Massey Defender 59'
7Conor Crowley Midfielder
17Darren Craven 5 Midfielder
33Sean Quinn 8 Midfielder 51'
15Ben Feeney Forward
32Yoyo Mahdy 6 Forward
77Nadre Butcher 9 Forward
1Alex Moody Goalkeeper
5Dave Webster 17 Defender
6Luka Lovic 32 Midfielder
8Harry Groome 33 Midfielder
9Chris Lyons 77 Forward
11Ger Shortt Forward
16Callum Thompson Forward
21Guillermo Almirall Midfielder
23Lorcan Fitzgerald Defender

Wexford FC

1Owen Mason Goalkeeper
2Darragh Levingston Midfielder 63'
81'
5Ethan Boyle Defender
10Aaron Dobbs 9 Forward
11Mark Hanratty 7 Midfielder
13James Crawford Defender
16Corban Piper Midfielder
17Kian Corbally Midfielder 2'
23Cian O’Malley Defender
31Luke Browne Defender 85'
18Charlie Heffernan Goalkeeper
3Ben Lynch Midfielder
7Karl Chambers 11 Forward
9Thomas Oluwa 24 Forward 69'
24Eoin Kenny 9 Forward 95'
24Max Kelly Midfielder
25Aaron Doran Midfielder
30Sean Fitzpatrick Forward
  • 95'

    A fantastic save to round off a good night here for Wexford by Mason and the away side go straight up the other end and score. It's another debut goal, this time Eoin Kenny, who rounds McGuinness to tap home and seal a 3-0 win for the away side.

  • 88'

    A third Wexford sub as another dubt is made, Oluwa off on his for Kenny,

  • 88'

    Wexford make their second change as Chambers replaces Hanratty.

  • 87'

    Another red here, and its another Bray centre back. Hudson now goes for an early shower, not really sure for what but there was a melee he may have been involved in.

  • 85'

    A third Wexford player into the book, this time it is Browne.

  • 81'

    Now Wexford are down to 10 men as Levingston receives his second yellow for blocking a quick free kick from being taken.

  • 80'

    Bray make their final change as Shortt replaces Feeney.

  • 80'

    Boyle the second receipient of a booking for Wexford.

  • 69'

    Wexford finally have that elusive second! It comes from debutant Oluwa, who weaves in and out of the two Bray centre back's before powering a left footed finish into the bottom corner. 2-0 Wexford.

  • 63'

    Wexford have their first booking as Levingston gives away a cheap foul.

  • 62'

    Bray make four changes to respond, Lovic, Lyons, Webster and Groome all come on to give Bray more help in their spine.

  • 59'

    Things go from bad to worse for Bray as they are now down to 10. Hanratty floats a ball over the top and its a race between Massey and Oluwa. The Wexford striker was always going to win it and Massey has no choice but to go to ground and is given his marching orders.

  • 51'

    First player into the book tonight as Quinn is given a yellow for a drag back.

  • 50'

    Bray have started well here with Mahdy having a low shot parried out which is only just cleared by a Wexford defender.

  • 46'

    Back underway here for the second half.

  • 55'

    How Wexford have not scored there I do not know. Bray all over the place defensively and Levingston finds himself somehow 1-on-1 with McGuinness. His effort is straight down the keepers throat and his gathers comfortably. That is the last action of the half aswell.

  • 53'

    Craven now with a missed opportunity for the home side. A corner results in a scuffle and the Bray midfielder sees his close range effort deflected out of danger.

  • 53'

    Craven now with a missed opportunity for the home side. A corner results in a scuffle and the Bray midfielder sees his close range effort deflected out of danger.

  • 46'

    As expected, a length period of added time as the fourth official holds up the board for ten minutes.

  • 45'

    Another Wexford chance goes left wanting as Oluwa gets his first run in behind but his shot is dragged just wide.

  • 43'

    Bray's first chance of any description comes close to half time. Mahdy picks up the ball, drives through the middle and slips Feeney in. The winger chops inside, curls a left footed shot which is blocked superbly by Browne out for a corner.

  • 35'

    So Dobbs is now off, heading for the ambulance and once again we hope its nothing too serious, On to replace him is Oluwa for his debut.

  • 33'

    A massive delay here as Dobbs has been down, a serious injury it seems. Stretcher is on the pitch, we hope all is well.

  • 25'

    Wexford have had all the real chances of note this half and Corbally should have had his second. Hanratty slips him in behind but his effort is quite tame and McGuinness is able to tap it around the post for a corner.

  • 14'

    A stoppage in play here after Boyle was struck in the face from a pretty hard shot from Craven. Probably what Wexford needed as Bray had started to come into the game.

  • 10'

    A big chance for Wexford to double their lead. Another mistake for Bray, this time in midfield, as Piper claims the ball and plays Dobbs in behind. McGuinness gets out quick though and makes himself big to smother the shot.

  • 2'

    With only two minutes gone, the away side take the lead. An awful goal for Bray to concede as Massey plays a risky back pass which McGuinness fails to control. Corbally is hassling and nips the ball off the Bray keeper to tap into an empty net. 1-0 Wexford.

  • Underway here at the Carlisle.

  • Two changes for Bray as two new signings Quinn and Mahdy come straight into the side in place of Groome and Lyons. As for Wexford, they make 4, with Mason coming in for his debut in net.

  • Good evening and welcome to a fairly wet Carlisle Grounds where 5th host 7th as Bray go into this fixture against Wexford looking to close the gap on the likes of Athlone and Cobh. Team news to follow shortly.

Past Meetings

(Round 13)
1 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC 1-1 Bray Wanderers FC

(Round 6)
3 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC 3-2 Wexford FC

(Round 33)
4 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC 4-2 Bray Wanderers

(Round 22)
2 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Wexford FC

(Round 14)
1 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers

(Round 7)
0 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Wexford FC

(Series 27)
4 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers

(Series 18)
3 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Wexford FC

(Series 9)
0 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers

(Series 11)
1 - 3
LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers

(Series 2)
2 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Wexford FC

1 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers FC

3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Wexford FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park

Wexford FC v Bray Wanderers FC

Ground

Carlisle Grounds
Carlisle Grounds, Seapoint Road, Bray No 2, The Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Leinster, A98 T9D9, Ireland

This second year journalism student in Dublin City University has an avid Soccer and League of Ireland fan since his first visit to the Carlisle Grounds over a decade ago.