League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Cork City

BRAY WANDERERS
Bray Wanderers should be nicknamed ‘The Chameleons” instead of “The Seagulls” such is the constant changing nature of the club this season. They have been picking up some cracking results against the League’s top teams (or at least battling hard) and then letting themselves down against teams like Longford last time out.

Despite this, credit to Mick Cooke who has steadied the rocky Wanderers’ ship and, with only 2 defeats in their last nine league matches, a season which looked long and arduous at the beginning, is now looking like a pleasant wander down Bray seafront.

Indeed, the Wicklow men could even be forgiven for truly beginning to dare to dream. Another winnable tie in the FAI Cup versus Killester will have Bray supporters dreaming of 1999 all over again.

They come into this weekends’ game in solid form, with those mid season drubbings firmly behind them. Bray are a hard working outfit who don’t score many (only 19 in the league) but have now stopped the goal glut at their own end as well.

CORK CITY

Despite winning the last three on the bounce, crucial losses at key stages of the season appear to have cost Cork another shot at the title this season. The siege mentality at Turner’s Cross survived through to 2015 but, unfortunately, the football seems to be falling short.

The team are defiant though, and will be looking for a win at the Carlisle Grounds as they look to add more goals to their already impressive tally of 49 goals scored.

Indeed, they still have eyes on the title – despite the 8 point gap – as Kevin O’Connor told corkcityfc.ie

“We have to keep pushing, keep trying, keep working hard and keep focusing on our own performances…obviously we’re still going in the league and we’re still definitely not out of it”.

John Caulfield’s team still have to play Dundalk and Pats in the league but everybody else they play are looking at the wrong end of the table so they will be confident of picking up results in the run-in.

He was little more cautious than O’Connor on Cork’s end of season prospects as he told corkcityfc.ie, “We must keep doing our own thing and keep playing. Europe is a huge thing for all of the clubs now from a financial point of view; it affects your budget if you don’t make it, it affects who you can bring in the following season if you don’t make it.

“We are very close to making sure of Europe again. As regards the league, we just have to keep hammering at the door and see can we get a bit closer; there is still a bit of football to be played!”

Dan Murray and Stephen Beattie both return to the squad following bans during the St. Pats game.

Referee: Rob Rogers

MATCH STATS
Bray have only lost two matches in all competitions since Mick Cooke took over on 7^th July and will be full of confidence going into this game. In that period, a series of ten league and cup matches, they have only conceded three goals as well.

With 16 goals in their last seven games in all competitions Cork will be equally confident of getting on the score sheet in Wicklow. They also have a mean defence, having only conceded 18 all year in the league. Karl Sheppard and Billy Dennehy will be looking to add to their goal totals of 10 so far this campaign.

BETTING
Bray Wanderers 11/2 Cork City 8/15 Draw 11/4

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Cork City

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Adam Hanlon (knee), Stephen McGuinness (ankle).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Michael Barker.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, Gavan Holohan, John Kavanagh.

Doubtful: Colin Healy, Liam Miller.

Suspended: None.