League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Finn Harps

 

Bray Wanderers come into this home fixture on a five game unbeaten streak which includes a 1-0 friendly victory over Scottish club Falkirk. Another highlight of this run is that the Wicklow side have racked up five clean sheets over the same timeframe and Wanderers goalkeeper Peter Cherrie will be looking to extend this 450 minutes of shutout against Harps.

 

Last week, the Seagulls picked up a creditable 0-0 draw away to Bohemians. They now find themselves out of the relegation zone and recently appointed manager Harry Kenny seems to have brought stability to the squad.

 

Despite an impressive five weeks of results, it’s the lack of victories away from the Carlisle Grounds that have Bray tenth in the table, just one point above fellow strugglers Wexford Youths.

 

In attack both Andrew Lewis and Dean Kelly are the Seagulls' top scorers in the league with three goals apiece, while Ryan Brennan has netted six times in all competitions (twice in the league).

 

Finn Harps arrive in Wicklow on a four game undefeated spell. Last week, the Ballybofey outfit beat Galway United 1-0 at home which made it a hat-trick of victories, putting them seventh in the Premier Division.

 

Before the Galway match, Harps had beaten Longford Town away 2-0 and Sligo Rovers 3-0 scoring an impressive five goals while the defence was doing its job of not conceding.

 

Manager Ollie Horgan has also strengthened his squad in recent weeks with the permanent signing of striker Ruairi Keating from Galway.

 

“Ruairi did well here previously and will be another string to our bow. Injuries and suspensions are always a factor so it’s vital we have options and cover for every position,” Horgan told finnharps.com.

 

The boys from Donegal can welcome back Ethan Boyle from suspension while Packie Mailey (calf) is doubtful. Ciaran Coll (shoulder) and Gareth Harkin (knee) remain on the injury list.

 

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

 

 

Bray Wanderers are currently the only team in the Premier Division yet to win away from home leaving them on 13 points after 18 games.

 

Former Bray striker David Scully scored the winner for Finn Harps in the 1-0 victory when the sides last met on 15th April 2016 at Finn Park.

 

Harps had a May 2016 roster that saw them play six games and concede 15 goals while Bray also played six and conceded 14 during the same month.

 

Bray haven't conceded since losing 2-0 in the league to Derry City at the Brandywell on May 29th.

 

 

Bray Wanderers Evens; Draw 9/4; Finn Harps 13/5.

 

 

Bray Wanderers 1-0 Finn Harps.

 

 

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

Injured: Ciaran Coll (shoulder), Gareth Harkin (knee).

Doubtful: Packie Mailey, Josh Mailey, Dave Scully.

Suspended: None.