Bray Wanderers -v- St Patrick's Ath
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BRAY WANDERERS
Two teams turn their attentions away from different pressures in the league to focus on a third round cup game as Bray Wanderers host St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Ford Cup at the Carlise Grounds on Friday night (kick off 7.45pm). With Bray Wanderers currently bottom of the league on goal difference and, having been eliminated from the Leinster Senior Cup by Wayside Celtic, the FAI Ford Cup is the last trophy Bray can challenge for this season.
Bray beat Mervue United 2-0 in the second round of the competition with Jason Byrne scoring both goals. They will be hoping their main man is on form for Friday night’s game as he looks to add to the 14 goals he has scored this season in the league and three in the cups. Although up against St Pats, one of the in-form teams in the league, Bray’s Pat Devlin told the club’s website that the cup game was a break from the stress of the league.
But the manager did warn that "the Cup, however, brings its own pressure. They are a one off game but we are all looking forward to it". Bray will be hoping for better against St Pats on Friday than the previous two matches against the Inchicore side this season. St Pats beat Bray 1-0 in the Carlisle in April (with a wonderful goal from Chris Forrester) and 2-0 at St Pats’ home ground, Richmond Park, in June.
Recent signings Stephen Quigley and Dwayne Wilson will be unavailable for the game as both are cup tied for the competition. There are also doubts over the fitness of Daire Doyle (ankle) and Eoin Hyland (hamstring) but Bray welcome back defenders Adam Mitchell and Shane O’Connor into the squad.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
Fresh after beating Shelbourne twice in four days, St Patrick’s Athletic are ready for their third game within a week as they prepare to battle Bray Wanderers for a place in the last 16 of the FAI Ford Cup. St Pats are currently sitting at the top of the league table, although only by a point, and have reached one final already after defeating Shelbourne in the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup last Monday.
St Pats defeated UCD 5-0 in the second round of the competition and John Russell told the club’s website that he and his team mates are up for the match against Bray. “I’m really looking forward to the game having missed last week’s match,” Russell said, “We’ve definitely got the aim to get to the final again and hopefully go one better than last year.” Last year, St Pats reached the final of the FAI Ford Cup but were defeated in extratime by Derry City after Robert Patterson’s strike in the 105th minute settled the game.
But John Russell is weary of Bray’s threat at home. “Bray will be no pushovers though. They’ve a good mix of both young and experienced players who we know well,” Russell said, “However if we perform to the best of our abilities on the night, we know we can progress.” St Pats manager Liam Buckley shared the same view, “Bray have had some decent results at home this year, taking points off both Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers.”
Liam Buckley also thinks that St Pats can repeat last year’s cup run but with success at the end. “We’d a really good run in the cup last year so we’ll be pushing for the win on Friday night in order to try and replicate that and hopefully go one better.
John Russell returns to the squad after a suspension ruled him out of St Pats’ last game against Shelbourne. Shane McFaul is back after suffering from a groin injury recently although he is doubtful for the game. One player unavailable for selection is on-loan striker Philly Hughes, as he is cup tied in the competition.
Referee: Padraig Sutton
MATCH FACTS
The last time St Patrick’s Athletic and Bray met in the FAI Cup, it was in the third round in 2007. Keith Fahey scored a 94th minute winner to send St Pats through 2-1.
Bray have won the FAI Cup twice, in 1990 and 1999. St Pats have also won the cup twice although their last win came back in 1961, defeating Drumcondra 2-1 in Dalymount.
In the last five St Pats games away from home, in all competitions, fifteen goals have been scored. Bray, on the other hand, haven’t won at home since their 2-0 win over Mervue back in May, five games ago.
BETTING
Bray 5/1; Draw 11/4; St Pats 4/7.
PREDICTION
Bray 1-3 St Pats
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Daire Doyle, Eoin Hyland.
Suspended: None.
Cup Tied: Dwayne Wilson, Stephen Quigley.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Shane McFaul.
Suspended: None.
Cup Tied: Philly Hughes.
