Justin Ferizaj’s incredible acrobatic goal in additional time to was enough for Bray Wanderers to see off Treaty United and advance to the Promotion/Relegation Final.
Bray Wanderers 1
Treaty United 0
Bray Wanderers nearly took the lead with their first effort on goal. A Max Murphy free-kick was beautifully delivered to find Sean Brennan, but his headed effort narrowly dragged wide of the bottom left corner.
While Gavin Teahan’s side controlled the larger share of possession and created the better chances in the opening 15 minutes, Treaty United were looking dangerous on the counter attack. When going direct, Patrick Ferry was causing Bray defenders problems and Tommy Barrett’s men were also capable of keeping the ball on the ground and moving it with pace.
However, the best chance Treaty could create in the early stages of the match was a headed effort from Mark Byrne that flew straight into the hands of James Corcoran.
Treaty were inches away from taking the lead. A Lee Devitt corner found Mark Byrne at the back post, and from 6 yards his headed effort reverberated off the woodwork. After some pandemonium in the box, Bray somehow managed to clear the ball and keep the match scoreless.
Minutes later it was another Devitt corner that nearly put Treaty ahead. Again, the ball was whipped in, and looked to be heading into the back of the net, which forced Corcoran to leap backwards and tip the ball away from goal. Bray were the quicker of the two sides to react, and yet again were able to clear their lines.
Everything positive for Treaty United was coming from Lee Devitt. A Richkov Boevi header was played into the path of Devitt, who hit it first time, an audacious half volley from just outside the box was close, but didn’t have the dip he wanted, hitting off the crossbar and bouncing over the bar.
Momentum finally fell back into Bray Wanderers favor as they had survived a large spell of Treaty pressure. Substitute Rhys Knight came closest with a looping header that was tipped over the bar by Corey Chambers.
Seconds after the game went into additional time, a Bray Wanderers cross from Max Murphy was nodded down by captain Killian Cantwell, falling to Justin Ferezaj and with his back to goal he opted to attempt an over head kick, and his effort flew into the top right hand corner, to win the game for Bray with seconds remaining.
An incredible goal to send Bray Wanderers to the Promotion Relegation Final against Waterford next Friday night.
The Seagulls are just one win away from booking their spot in the Premier Division for 2026, while at least for the meantime Treaty United will continue in the First Division.
Man-of-the-match: Justin Ferizaj
In a match where there wasn’t much between either side, he was the difference. He was involved in several moments throughout the match where he created chances for his teammates, and when he got one of his own he made it count. After a difficult spell abroad, Ferezaj has returned to Ireland and looks to be back to his best.
Bray Wanderers(4-1-3-2): James Corcoran, Alain Kizenga, Kian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy, Rhys Bartley, Conor Knight, Justin Ferizaj, Cian Doyle, Cian Curtis, Sean Brennan Subs: Guillermo Almirall for Conor Knight, Rhys Knight for Rhys Bartley (both 68′), Paul Murphy for Sean Brennan (91′).
Treaty United (4-2-3-1): Corey Chambers,Evan O’Connor, Richkov Boevi, Eoin Martin, Benjamin Lynch, Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy, Lee Lynch, Mark Byrne, Karl O’Sullivan, Patrick Ferry Subs: Joseph Hanson for Patrick Ferry (61′), Roy Lawlor for Lee Lynch ,Benjamin Lee for Marky Byrne (both 89′),
Referee: Declan Toland
Attendance: