League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Cabinteely

BRAY WANDERERS

After swatting aside the challenge of Drogheda United last week, Bray Wanderers will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they face east coast rivals Cabinteely at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off 7.45pm).

Gary Cronin’s side lie fourth in the First Division league table heading into this weekend’s action, having lost two of their last three league games.

However, both defeats were away from home to heavily fancied promotion hunting Shelbourne and Longford Town.

The Seagulls have found goals hard to come by so far this season despite their position in the First Division Playoff spots with only ten goals from nine games.

Dylan McGlade’s last week against Drogheda United saw the former Longford Town winger shoot up to second position in the goalscoring charts with five goals so far this term.

Four players have played every minute of every game for the Co Wicklow club so far this season: Dylan Barnett, Gabriel Sava, Killian Cantwell and Dylan McGlade.

Bray have not provided any team news for this weekend’s derby against Cabinteely.

CABINTEELY

Top of the table after the first round of games, Cabinteely will be looking to tighten their grip on top position when they travel to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers on Friday evening.

It has been a brilliant start to the season for the South Dubliners who have defied almost every pre-season expectation already this term.

In-form striker Rob Manley has raised plenty of eyebrows with his electric form of ten goals in nine games while the defensive steel of Jack Tuite and Conor Keeley can not be understated one bit.

Speaking with his club’s media team, Cabo boss Pat Devlin said he is relishing his trip back to the Carlisle Grounds ahead of Friday night’s encounter.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” the former Bray Wanderers FAI Cup-winning manager said.  

“There should be a good crowd and good atmosphere. I’ve great memories from my times there. I just hope the memories are as good after the match on Friday night.

“It’s all about winning – getting three points. We’re now top of the table. We’re there to be taken down. It’s not going to be easy.”

Kieran Butler, Paul Fox and Alex Aspil all remain side-lined with injury complaints.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

MATCH STATS

This will be the first time Cabinteely have faced Bray Wanderers in a league game at the Carlisle Grounds.

Their most recent encounter at the Co Wicklow venue saw the Seagulls fall to a 2-1 defeat in the Leinster Senior Cup.

Cabinteely have the best attacking record in the First Division with 16 goals. Bray, on the other hand, have only scored ten so far in the league this year.

Bray won the first, and most recent, meeting between the First Division rivals with a 3-0 success over their east coast opposition. Dylan McGlade’s brace proved to be vital on that occasion at Stradbrook.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 5/6; Draw 12/5; Cabinteely 11/4.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Cabinteely.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Cabinteely

Injured: Kieran Butler, Alex Aspil, Paul Fox.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.