Shelbourne -v- Bray Wanderers

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne go into their their second meeting with Bray Wanderers in the last five days on the back of three league games in which they have failed to pick up a victory. Last Friday’s draw with Dundalk was a disappointing result for The Reds as it was a game that they probably would have expected to pick up all three points in, against a young Lilywhites side.

Indeed Shels manager Alan Mathews was disappointed with the result as he told www.shelstv.com - “I feel that we’ve left two points here. Overall I felt that we had done enough to win it. They had a number of chances to win it late on, but we should have been out-of-sight at that stage.”

Even though Shels suffered a defeat at the hands of Bray in the EA Sports Cup on Monday they would be expected to come through victorious on Friday. However, they will be without the two casualties from Monday’s game, Stephen Hurley and Lorcan Fitzgerald due to broken ribs (and a punctured lung) and a dislocated shoulder, respectively.

Apart from the two players mentioned Mathews will have a full squad to choose from as Glenn Cronin’s suspension after his dismissal against St. Pats has run its course. Cronin will therefore be expected to come straight back into the team, especially with Hurley’s absence.

BRAY WANDERERS

After a 2-1 defeat at home to league leaders Sligo Rovers last week, Bray will be looking to pick up points against Shels on Friday to end a run of three league games without a victory. However despite last week’s defeat it was a spirited performance from the Seagulls with which Director of Football, Pat Devlin, was pleased.

Speaking to www.braywanderers.ie, he said, “We are making progress and we just need to just keep it up for 90 minutes and if we can do that we will be grand”. He also seems to be relishing his sides second trip to Tolka Park in a week, having beaten Shelbourne on Monday night in the E.A. Sports Cup, Devlin said, “This will be totally different, I think you will see two totally different squads, but we know what to expect and it’s all to play for, it could go either way, I'm looking forward to it”.

As for team news there are no new injuries to worry about for the Seagulls. The only absentees are long-term injury victims; Shane O’ Connor (groin) and Stephen Brennan (hamstring). Dane Massey will return after his suspension due to a red card against Drogheda. Also added to last week’s squad is the veteran midfielder Colm Tresson.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

MATCH STATS

Bray's 2-1 win over Shels in the E.A. Sports Cup on Monday night was their first win over The Reds in fifteen attempts. Their last victory came in November 2000 with Colm Tresson netting twice in a 3-0 win.

Shels claimed their last trophy, the Leinster Senior Cup, in 2010 when they defeated Bray 4-0 in the Carlisle Grounds with goals from Dinny Corcoran, David Cassidy, Marc Hughes and Mark Leech.

Bray have failed to keep a clean sheet against Shels in their last twelve meetings in all competitions.

BETTING

Shelbourne 8/15; Draw 11/4; Bray 11/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 2-1 Bray Wanderers. Shels will reverse Monday’s scoreline and get back to winning ways in the league.

Shelbourne Injury News: Stephen Hurley, Lorcan Fitzgerald

Shelbourne Suspension News: None.

Bray Injury News: Shane O’ Connor, Stephen Brennan

Bray Suspension News: None.