League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- St Patrick's Athletic
Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
Carlisle Grounds host an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixture tonight as 11th placed St. Patrick’s Athletic travel to Wicklow to face 3rd placed Bray Wanderers (Kick-off 7:45 PM)
BRAY WANDERERS
The Seagulls come into this game coming off a loss to runaway leaders Cork City, in a game where defender Derek Foran scored a 91st minute consolation after going 2-0 down.
Before this game though, the Wicklow club had won five straight league games, including wins against Derry City, Dundalk and in their last home fixture, Shamrock Rovers.
Bray currently sit third in the Premier Division and have opened up a five point gap on 4th placed Limerick.
Ahead of the game, boss Harry Kenny tells the club's official website that his charges are looking to bounce back from the defeat to Cork City and anticipates a tough game against Pats.
“We were disappointed not to get anything from last week, whilst Cork dominated the first half we had Peter Cherrie to thank to be only one goal down going into the break.
“The goal itself was a very soft penalty and it looked as though the referee had given a free to us as none of the Cork players even looked for anything; they seemed just as surprised as us when it was awarded.
“Our second half performance was much better as we dominated for long spells creating a number of chances.
“We look forward to St Pats coming to the Carlisle grounds tomorrow night in what should be another tough game.”
In team news, Conor Earley, Kevin Lynch and Hughie Douglas are all back training and available for selection.
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
The Saints will be looking for a reversal in fortunes against the Seagulls having lost to the Wicklow side on the opening night of the season 2-1 in Richmond Park as goals from Gary McCabe and Anto Flood were enough to see off the Saints.
However in the Leinster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup games between the sides this season, the Saints have had the bragging rights after recording a 4-0 victory in the Carlisle Grounds in February and a 5-3 victory on penalties (0-0 AET) last month in Inchicore in the EA Sports Cup.
Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of the game, St Pat's manager Liam Buckley stressed the importance that his side look to push on in the second series of games in the league season.
"Friday's game marks the first game of the second round of games and we know we have to improve things. It's a big game as a win can do a lot for both sides. We've already faced Bray three times this season so we know each other's games very well.
“I'd expect it to be another tight game, but hopefully with the fact that we've almost got a fully fit squad, we can select our strongest team out there and look to pick up a result.
"We're coming in off the back of two long and tough away games against Derry and Cork so a third away game in a row will be tough.
“However there were a lot of positives in Derry last week where we picked up a point so I'm hopeful that we can again put in a good performance and get a result."
Buckley remains without the services of defender Darren Dennehy with an ankle injury, however he otherwise has a full squad to select from including the availability of striker Christy Fagan who made his return to action in Pat's 2-0 defeat to Cork City last Monday in the EA Sports Cup.
After a third of the season gone, it is fair to say that the 2013 league champions have flattered to deceive a great deal.
Last time out, they drew 2-2 with Derry City in Buncrana, which is a result they would have took heading into the game, but they should probably feel disappointed to not take all three points as they twice took the lead through the Byrnes, Kurtis and Conan.
Ronan Curtis pegged back Kurtis’ strike in the first half before Aaron McEneff bundled home in the 85th minute to restore parity for the home side.
Two Dublin Derby wins and two three away draws have coincided with six defeats for the Dublin 8 club. This has left them second bottom, leaving fans perplexed and disillusioned with their team’s current on-the-field affairs.
The fans keep saying amongst themselves, “We have the players, we’re just not performing”
Those fans will keep quoting that unless their team stops dropping points like they have been and start putting in decent performances every week.
Referee: Ben Connolly
MATCH FACTS
Bray have won six out of the last ten meetings of the sides in all competitions.
The sides have met each other competitively 44 times; Pats winning 28 times to Bray's 11. There’s been five stalemates played out between the pair.
There has been an average of 2.8 goals scored per game in this fixture.
Bray finished a point above St. Pats last season despite two wins in their opening 16 Premier Division games.
Combined, Christy Fagan and Dylan Connolly scored 15 league goals last season. Top scorer Sean Maguire, meanwhile, scored 18.
The two sides have met three times already this season; Bray winning in the league, Pats winning in the Leinster Senior Cup in January and a 0-0 draw in the EA Sports Cup Second Round with The Saints progressing on penalties.
BETTING
Bray Wanderers; 4/5 Draw 13/5; St. Patrick’s Athletic 7/2
PREDICTION
Bray Wanderers 3-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
St.Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Darren Dennehy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
