League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Longford Town

BRAY WANDERERS

The Seagulls will be looking to get their faltering promotion aspirations back on track on Friday evening as they host title-chasing Longford Town at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off is a t 7.45pm).

Bray were well beaten during the last time the two sides met as a slick Longford Town punished a poor performance from the Co. Wicklow side.

After a three-game winning run which saw wins over Athlone Town, Galway United and Wexford, Gary Cronin’s side were brought back down to earth with three consecutive defeats.

Their most recent defeat came against Shelbourne in the First Division as Karl Moore’s excellent free-kick was enough to see the Quinsborough Road outfit fall nine points behind the Reds in pole position.  

Speaking to Soccer Republic after his side’s defeat to Shels, Cronin admits that the gap between the Seagulls and automatic promotion is big.

“When you look at the league table now there’s a massive gap between us and the top.

“We went into the Cobh game on a great run and we thought that could’ve been an opportunity to catch up level but unfortunately it was not to be, and we are bitterly disappointed with the result today (vs Shelbourne).

Bray midfielder Brandon McCann is Gary Cronin’s only doubt for the Friday night showdown at the Carlisle Grounds. 

LONGFORD TOWN

Neale Fenn’s title-chasing Longford make the trip to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening as they look to capitalise on any possible points dropped between Shels and Drogheda United at Tolka Park.

Jamie Doyle scored with the last kick of the game last time out against Wexford FC which saw De Town leapfrog Drogheda back into second.

Doyle’s winner was his first of the season having been forced to watch on from the bench regularly in place of first-choice Aaron Dobbs.

Speaking to his club’s media team after their last gasp win over Wexford, Fenn admits that should his side not be firing on all cylinders they will come unstuck against a ‘dangerous’ Bray.  

“It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be difficult.

“Bray are a good team, Gary Cronin has them well organised and they’ve got some dangerous players that we know from here.

“Every game is difficult. If we don’t move the ball quick and if we don’t play with a high tempo, we don’t look very good but when we do, we look like a good team.”

In terms of team news for De Town, Paul O’Conor remains out with a fractured cheekbone while Kevin Knight has also been added to the treatment table.

Energetic midfielder Aodh Dervin is also a doubt for the trip to the Carlisle Grounds.

Referee: Sean Grant.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town are unbeaten at the Carlisle Grounds in almost ten year. The Seagulls last win over De Town at the Quinsborough Road venue came in a 2-1 FAI Cup success in 2009.

Longford Town’s last win at the Carlisle Grounds came all the way back in 2015 when Ayman Ben Mohamed scored a second half winner for the then Tony Cousins managed side.

Bray Wanderers are tied with Galway and Shelbourne as the sides who have drawn the fewest games so far this season with only one draw to their name.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 7/4; Draw 2/1; Longford Town 7/5.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-3 Longford Town

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Brandon McCann.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Kevin Knight, Paul O’Conor.

Doubtful: Aodh Dervin.

Suspended: None.