Bray Wanderers -v- Drogheda United

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers recent form has seen the Seagulls move further away from Shels at the bottom of the league and close the gap to UCD and Bohemians. The Seagulls have more than doubled their points tally in their last three league games. Wins over Cork City and Shelbourne with a draw at home to Sligo have put Pat Devlin’s side on 11 points.

Bray’s only win previous to these three games was on the first night of the season, such is the turnaround experienced at the Carlisle Grounds. Bray come into this game on the back of a draining 4-2 defeat away to Bohemians in the EA Sports Cup. The game went into Extratime as it finished 2-2 in full-time and Bray were dumped out of the competition.

Bray will be boosted by the news that Kevin O’Connor has been passed fit to return to the squad, the midfielder has been out for six weeks but will be included in the squad on Friday night. Adam Mitchell is also in line for a return to team action, the defender has been training for the last three weeks. However club captain Danny O’Connor is a doubt having picked up a knock on Monday night’s defeat away to Bohemians.

Following his sides 3-1 win at Turners Cross last Friday night Director of Football Pat Devlin said "It was a good team performance and a fully deserved result."

Speaking about the challenge of Friday night, Devlin said, "They are our bogey team. They are tough and Mick has done well with them, they are well up there and are in Europe but we will go into the game with confidence."

DROGHEDA UNITED

Mick Cooke’s Drogheda side have been producing some good displays since their 7-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers, but they haven’t been getting the results the performances may warrant. Speaking ahead of Friday night’s game, Cooke spoke about how Drogheda were not getting what they deserve.

“I felt that we should have got more from the Derry game, we had enough chances to win the game but we didn’t take them, however I can’t fault our performance and the team are playing well but sometimes that just isn’t enough.”

The Boynesiders travel to Bray having handed out a 6-0 thrashing to First Division leaders Longford Town in the EA Sports Cup on Monday night. Cooke really blooded his squad and made nine changes from the side which lost to Derry City 3-2 in the league, Dean Gaynor and Jason Marks both made their opportunities count with Marks bagging a brace and Gaynor netting his first goal for the club.

Cooke was forced into several changes due to injury and the manager will have to test the fitness of Brian Gannon, Eric Foley, Derek Prendergast and Gary O’Neill before Friday night’s game.

Speaking about the clash in Wicklow Cooke said, “I think we showed against Longford that we have a good squad when we can make nine changes and put in such a good performance.

“Bray have had some good results and Pat Devlin will have his team well setup for tomorrow night. We won't take anything for granted,” he added.

Referee:  Keith Callanan.

MATCH STATS

In the three meetings between the sides last season Drogheda have a 100% recorded scoring 10 goals and conceding 4. But in 2011 Bray won three of the five meetings between the teams.

Of Bray’s three wins this season, only one has been at home, that win coming on the first night of the season at home to Shels.

Bray have the joint worst defence in the league having shipped 29 goals, but only 13 of these came at home. Drogheda United have only scored 10 goals on the road.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 5/2, Draw12/5, Drogheda United Evs.

PREDICTION

Drogheda should have enough to edge this 2-1.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Danny O’Connor.
Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Eric Foley, Brian Gannon, Gary O’Neill, Derek Prendergast.
Suspended: None.