IRN-BRU Cup Preview: Elgin City -v- Bray Wanderers

• Dave Donnelly
• Sat, Sep 02 2017




ELGIN CITY

Elgin City will hold the distinction of being the first side to host League of Ireland opposition in the Irn Bru Cup when they welcome Bray Wanderers to Borough Briggs on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

 

The most northerly league team in Scotland reached this stage thanks to a 2-1 away win over Hibernian, with goals from Chris McLeish and Stephen Bronsky making the difference.

 

The Scottish League Two side have started their season strongly with seven points from their opening four fixtures and are unbeaten in their two home matches to date.

 

Their most recent fixture was an emphatic 3-0 win away to Edinburgh City, thanks to goals from Lewis Strapp, Brian Cameron and former Derry City midfielder Jordan Allan.

 

Their home form has been solid in the league, with a 1-1 opening day draw with Cowdenbeath followed up with a tight 3-2 win over Clyde at Borough Briggs.

 

There is no injury news from Elgin ahead of the game but new loan signing from Aberdeen, striker Bruce Anderson, is cup-tied after appearing for the Dons in Round One.

 

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers will become the first League of Ireland side to kick a ball in the Scottish League Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon.

 

Harry Kenny's side are without a competitive game in two weeks after they were knocked out of the FAI Cup at the first hurdle by Cork City.

 

They have at least arrested the rot that threatened to bury their promising season and are now three unbeaten in the league.

 

Most recently, they overcame Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds thanks to goals in either half from Hugh Douglas and Aaron Greene, the latter a sublime free kick.

 

Bray warmed up with a 3-1 friendly win over Wexford by the seaside last week as a Ryan Brennan double and a third from Ger Pender overturned Aaron Dobbs' early opener.

 

“We’re looking forward to the game in Elgin this Saturday afternoon in the Irn Bru Cup,” said Bray manager Harry Kenny to the club's website.

 

“It's a competition that we will be trying our best to win. We haven’t played a competitive game In a couple of weeks.

 

“Our last league game was a scrappy 2-1 win against Drogheda so we will need to improve on that performance if we’re to progress in the Irn Bru Cup.”

 

Anto Flood is set to miss the game with a hamstring injury while Peter Cherrie will be assessed closer to kick-off after he was involved in a motorcycle accident last Friday.

 

 

Referee: Arnold Hunter

 

 

MATCH STATS

The two sides have never met before.

 

The only currently active player to have represented both Elgin City and Bray Wanderers is Bluebell United goalkeeper Andy McNulty, who spent time on loan at Elgin in 2009.

 

Elgin midfielder Jordan Allen, who played for Derry City last season, spent time on trial at Bray before the beginning of the current season but wasn't signed.

 

 

BETTING

Elgin City 4/1; Draw 3/1; Bray Wanderers 4/9.

 

PREDICTION

Elgin City 1 – 3 Bray Wanderers

 

 

Elgin City

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Bruce Anderson (cup-tied).

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Anto Flood (hamstring).

Doubtful: Peter Cherrie.

Suspended: None.