Carlisle Grounds Friday, August 16th, 2019 k/o 19:45   sse airtricity league Attendance: 513         Bray Wanderers 3-3 Cobh Ramblers
2019 /20

Comments :

At one point didn''t think would see this fixture. Originally planned to watch the earlier season encounter but despite giving my work the requisite thirty days notification I was told it couldn''t be sanctioned as others had already booked that day. Thus I pencilled in another fixture which was subsequently moved to accommodate an u19 tournament(come on priorities people)! Bray was down as my back up game on ST Particks day a couple of seasons ago but fell foul of the weather as with my first choice game at St pats! So what could possible go wrong this time?! What indeed, my knee blew up a week before and I was still struggling so had reservations about the trip but pressed ahead and i''m glad I did. By irony I would be attending the Tranmere v Bolton game the next day so I would be seeing both sides with the BWFC initials within 24hours of each other. The ground at Bray seems in an ideal location across the road from the train station and a very short walk to the sea front but has been lacking investment and had severe financial problems only a year or so before, as such the sightlines are very uncomfortable. It seems you can stand in a flat area behind one goal with no elevation or in the main stand which seems to be of the temporary fabrication type with countless posts spoiling the view. On the opposite side you find a better option, whilst floodlight pylons obstruct the view from some seats it has the best view in my opinion despite having no roof but because of the expected low turnout I was told this stand would be closed for the game. I was surprised then to see the dozen or so spectators who seemed to be working double in the second half and I was tempted to chance my arm and move but didn''t. Reading the programme it was pointed out cobh hadn''t won a league game here since 1991 but I was still thinking of getting behind the home team due to liking their shirts! Whilst they shaded the first half they went into the break a goal down from the penalty spot but came out fighting at the start of the second half to fire home an equaliser. From then on though cobh took control certainly with possession before heading in a second, they looked to be holding on for the win with about five minutes to go but bray equalised for a second time but straight from the restart ramblers fired home the goal of the game with a volley from the edge of the box. In a cruel twist bray would get a point aided by a quick ball return from a spectator(yours truly)as the taker crossed to the far post for the ball to be headed home. Felt sorry for cobh as they deserved to break their winless run here tonight.