Second half Larkin brace helps Cobh see off Bray

POINTS IN BAG: Cobh Ramblers' David Bosnjak in a tussle for possession with Bray Wanderers' Josh McGlone, during their SSE Airtricity League First Division clash at St Colman's Park. Picture: David Keane.

SSE Airtricity First Division: Cobh Ramblers 3 (Larkin 62' (P), 90+4', Abbott 88' (P)) Bray Wanderers 0

A second half brace from Jack Larkin helped Cobh Ramblers defeat Bray Wanderers 3-0 at St Colman’s Park in the League of Ireland First Division.

Jason Abbott also got on the score-sheet, but the full-time result counted for nothing as the two teams destiny was confirmed before kick-off.

Cobh were in the bottom five, while Bray were locked into the play-offs and Paul Heffernan reacted to that by handing seven players their full league debuts.

The home side dominated possession early on, and created the first chance in the 8th minute when a low Pierce Philips cross went to Jack Larkin for a shot that was stopped by Edvinas Jakas.

Bray retaliated with an effort by Billy O’Neill and that was easily blocked by Breandán Frahill.

These moments were rare, as both teams held firm and cut off space in the final third.

If anything sums this up, it is a passage of play involving James O’Leary and Luka Le Bervet in the 29th minute. The worked together to set up David Bosnjak for a shot on the edge of the area that went straight into the arms of Jakas.

The first half closed out with efforts from Josh McGlone and Jack Larkin, and they failed to hit the target.

The game restarted with Alan Seruga weaving through the Cobh defence and kicking the ball straight at Darragh Burke.

Cobh pushed up once play resumed and a cross by Le Bervet was judged to have hit the hands of Leon Ajala. The referee pointed to the spot and Jack Larkin hit the back of the net in the 62nd minute.

The Ramblers made sure of the win a second penalty, this one put away by Abbott, and a late strike by Jack Larkin at the death.

Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke; Breandán Frahill, Dean Larkin, Pierce Philips (Lucas Curtin 70), Jack Larkin, James O’Leary (David Eguaibor 67), Nolan Evers (Michael McCarthy 89), David Bosnjak (Regix Madika 67), Dale Holland, Luka Le Bervet (Charlie O’Brien 89), Jason Abbott.

Bray Wanderers: Edvinas Jakas; Jamie Duggan, Leon Ajala (Joshua Kerr 64), Paul Murphy, Destiny Avenbuan (Jack Lawless 85), Alain Kizenga, Zayd Abada (Alan Seruga 50), Conor Knight, Josh McGlone (Stefan Ugbesia 64), Rhys Knight, Billy O’Neill.

Referee: Alan Patchell