LOI Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Drogheda United

BRAY WANDERERS

Both Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United will be looking to ease their relegation fears when the sides meet at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday, kickoff 7.45 pm.

The Seagulls currently sit ninth in the table and only three points above UCD in the relegation playoff position. Bray were unfortunate to leave Inchicore empty handed last week as they lost 3-2 to St. Patrick’s Athletic, a result which means it’s been six league games since they defeated Limerick a couple of months ago.

Bray last played at home before the midseason break as they were humiliated 5-0 by Bohemians but their home form has been decent this season where they have picked up three of their four victories to date.

Wanderers manager Alan Mathews will be hoping new signings Joe Gorman and Gareth McDonagh will receive international clearance in time. Left back Gorman joins having been released by Inverness Caledonian Thistle while McDonagh is a forward who was last with Celtic.

Dave Webster will be missing with an ankle injury for an otherwise full strength Seasiders.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United caretaker manager Darius Kierans was encouraged by his side’s performance last Friday against Sligo despite the ten men suffering defeat.

“I thought we showed a lot of character in the Sligo match and considering recent results, to play like that against one of the better teams in the league was encouraging. Sligo deserved to win, there is no point in disputing that but I felt we worked really hard with ten men and maybe could have robbed a draw.”

Paul Andrews will be suspended for Drogheda having been sent off in the defeat while Ciaran McGuigan is an injury doubt. New signing Peter McGlynn will be awaiting international clearance from America with the right back having previously played for MLS side San Jose Earthquakes.

Kierans will be looking to put a halt to Drogheda’s awful run of form which has seen them lose 11 of their last 12 league games and he is aware of the challenge that Bray will pose.

“I’ve watched Bray on a number of occasions this season and they are a good side with a lot of young players. Alan Mathews has done extremely well with them this year and they ran St. Pat’s very close last week. Alan usually has his side’s very hard to beat and they have some match winners with the likes of Jake Kelly and David Cassidy who we know well from his time with Drogheda.”

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

Goals from David Scully and Shane O’Neill secured Bray a 2-0 win at United Park when the two sides met back in April.

David Cassidy and Daire Doyle will be facing their former sides having switched clubs at the end of last season.

Drogheda have only won two league games away from home in the last twelve months, both coming against Limerick.  

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 11/8, Draw 12/5, Drogheda United 7/4

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Drogheda United

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Dave Webster

Suspended: None

Doubtful: None

Drogheda United

Injured: None

Suspended: Paul Andrews

Doubtful: Ciaran McGuigan