Bray Wanderers -v- Bohemians
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Bohemians will be looking to get back to winning ways on Monday evening when they make the journey down to the Carlisle Grounds to face a struggling Bray Wanderers side (kick-off 7.45pm). Bray will be looking to pick up their first points of the season following narrow defeats so far to Dundalk, Galway United, Sporting Fingal and UCD.
They will be have their work cut out, as Pat Fenlon will no doubt be hoping to make amends for the two points that they dropped at home to Sligo Rovers last Friday evening. Jason Byrne in particular will be itching to get involved after the battle of wits that he had with Sligo 'keeper Richard Brush in Dalymount Park in their last game, and he will no doubt be given a warm reception on his return to the club where he enjoyed five extremely successful years as a player.
He won't be the only ex-Seagulls player making a return to Wicklow though, as current Bohs goalkeeping custodian Chris O'Connor will face his former club for the first time in a competitive encounter since he secured his move to the League Champions in January. O'Connor has undoubtedly been a loss to Eddie Gormley, but Brian Kane has stepped up to the mark to show that he is more than capable of performing at the highest level.
He will have to be at his very best for the visit of Bohemians on Monday though, and it will take a strong defensive effort from Bray if they are to come away with something from this game. Bray have no injuries to report from their loss in the Belfield Bowl last Friday, and they do welcome a new addition to the squad in the shape of former Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic man Stephen Brennan. Brennan, who was also on the books of Newcastle United at one point, will bring much needed versatility to his new club, as he can play in midfield or at right-back.
Speaking over the weekend, Bray boss Gormley stated that he was disappointed with the loss to UCD, and also admitted that they would be up against it in the game against Bohs.
“Everybody realised it was going to be a difficult season, but there wasn't a lot in the game on Friday, I feel we deserved something out of it. It will be tough on Monday night, they are the Champions, it will be very difficult but we will go out and give it our best shot and see what happens”, Gormley said.
Ahead of this match, Bohemians had no injuries to report from the Sligo game, and will be able to go full throttle for the three points in Bray. They have the luxury of being able to keep the likes of Rafael Cretaro and Aaron Greene in reserve, and also have players like Gareth McGlynn, Paul Keegan and Paddy Madden, who are all capable of controlling the tempo of a game.
Bray will be looking to the likes of Richie Baker, Robbie Doyle and Shane O'Neill to provide the spark in the final-third, and they are certainly capable of causing problems for any team if they are given time and space on the ball.
However, it would seem like a step too far for Bray to get something out of this game, and it is hard to see anything other than a comprehensive victory for Bohemians.
Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray 6/1, Bohemians 4/9, Draw 3/1.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Extratime.ie prediction: Bray Wanderers 0-2 Bohemians.
They will be have their work cut out, as Pat Fenlon will no doubt be hoping to make amends for the two points that they dropped at home to Sligo Rovers last Friday evening. Jason Byrne in particular will be itching to get involved after the battle of wits that he had with Sligo 'keeper Richard Brush in Dalymount Park in their last game, and he will no doubt be given a warm reception on his return to the club where he enjoyed five extremely successful years as a player.
He won't be the only ex-Seagulls player making a return to Wicklow though, as current Bohs goalkeeping custodian Chris O'Connor will face his former club for the first time in a competitive encounter since he secured his move to the League Champions in January. O'Connor has undoubtedly been a loss to Eddie Gormley, but Brian Kane has stepped up to the mark to show that he is more than capable of performing at the highest level.
He will have to be at his very best for the visit of Bohemians on Monday though, and it will take a strong defensive effort from Bray if they are to come away with something from this game. Bray have no injuries to report from their loss in the Belfield Bowl last Friday, and they do welcome a new addition to the squad in the shape of former Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic man Stephen Brennan. Brennan, who was also on the books of Newcastle United at one point, will bring much needed versatility to his new club, as he can play in midfield or at right-back.
Speaking over the weekend, Bray boss Gormley stated that he was disappointed with the loss to UCD, and also admitted that they would be up against it in the game against Bohs.
“Everybody realised it was going to be a difficult season, but there wasn't a lot in the game on Friday, I feel we deserved something out of it. It will be tough on Monday night, they are the Champions, it will be very difficult but we will go out and give it our best shot and see what happens”, Gormley said.
Ahead of this match, Bohemians had no injuries to report from the Sligo game, and will be able to go full throttle for the three points in Bray. They have the luxury of being able to keep the likes of Rafael Cretaro and Aaron Greene in reserve, and also have players like Gareth McGlynn, Paul Keegan and Paddy Madden, who are all capable of controlling the tempo of a game.
Bray will be looking to the likes of Richie Baker, Robbie Doyle and Shane O'Neill to provide the spark in the final-third, and they are certainly capable of causing problems for any team if they are given time and space on the ball.
However, it would seem like a step too far for Bray to get something out of this game, and it is hard to see anything other than a comprehensive victory for Bohemians.
Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray 6/1, Bohemians 4/9, Draw 3/1.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Extratime.ie prediction: Bray Wanderers 0-2 Bohemians.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile