EA Sports Cup Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Bluebell United

BRAY WANDERERS

The EA Sports Cup is a welcome break for Bray Wanderers following a poor run of form in the SSE Airtricity League which has seen them lose their last three games, conceding a total of five goals without reply in what has been a miserable April so far for the Seagulls.

Finn Harps hosted Wanderers' on Saturday as the visitors slumped to their sixth defeat of the season during the 1-0 loss to Ollie Horgan’s team, and that leaves the Wicklow side bottom of the Premier Division table.

Manager Mick Cooke will be looking to secure a victory to restore confidence in the dressing room.

In the last round of this season’s EA Sports Cup the Seagulls overcame UCD in Belfield thanks to goals from Mark Salmon and Andrew Lewis.

Aaron Shanahan started between the sticks on that night for Mick Cooke’s team and he managed to keep a clean sheet while there were also impressive displays from Jason Marks, Karl Moore and Ryan Brennan over the course of the 2-0 win over the Students.

Kick Off for this League Cup tie at the Carlisle Grounds is set for 19:45.

BLUEBELL UNITED

Bluebell United are an amateur club from South Dublin who play in the Leinster Senior League. The Bell are the current Leinster Senior League champions and they will relish this cup tie against League of Ireland opposition.

It took 120 minutes and a penalty shootout for Bluebell to secure victory over Drogheda United in the last round. Sean Byrne, Peter Sherlock, Tony Griffiths and Keith Quinn all converted their spot kicks during the 4-3 penalty triumph.

Manager Andy Noonan who guided The Bell to league success after a 27-year wait has an experienced squad at his disposal. Amongst The Leinster Senior League’s sides contingent are Barry Slattery, Jordan Keegan, Tony Griffiths, Dean Lawrence and Keith Quinn who all have League Of Ireland experience. They can also boast former League of Ireland midfielder Robert Bayly who scored an FAI Cup hat-trick in a recent win over Cork side Carrigaline United.

Bluebell also disposed of Cabinteely FC 1-0 in the Leinster Senior Cup in March this year thanks to a Graham Zambra strike.

The LSL Senior Sunday champions have been in perfect cup form the last few weeks and are anticipating another giant killing over the Wicklow men.

Referee: Michael O'Connor

MATCH STATS

Bluebell United goalkeeper Andrew McNulty signed for Bray Wanderers during the 2009 season.

The last competitive meeting between these sides was the 3rd round of the 2009 FAI Cup when Wanderers defeated United 2-1 at Carlisle Grounds. It took an 86th minute winning penalty from Gary McCabe to conquer the Red Cow outfit on that occasion.

Bluebell United marksman Robert Bayly lined out for Shamrock Rovers in a UEFA Europa League match against Juventus FC back in 2010. The Italian giants had Alessandro Del Piero & David Trezeguet make appearances in the game.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 4/5; Draw 12/5; Bluebell United 3/1.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Bluebell United FC (Bluebell to win on penalties).

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Unknown.

Bluebell United

Injured: Ajibula Sule, Jordan Keegan.

Doubtful: Tony Griffiths, Gerard Rowe, Robert Bayly.

Suspended: None.