League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Drogheda United

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers will look to get back to winning ways on Friday night when they face Drogheda United for the first time this season (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Seagulls last victory was in the EA Sports Cup two weeks ago against Premier Division league leaders Shamrock Rovers. Bray brought Shamrock Rovers right to extra-time and penalties as the game couldn’t be decided in normal time. Bray advanced into the next round after the penalty shoot-out winning 4-2.

Since then, Gary Cronin’s side has been drifting in a dark cloud of results after losing League clashes with Shelbourne one nil and also playing the First Division’s league leaders Longford Town, who beat The Seagulls 2-0 last Saturday night at the City Calling Stadium.

Gary Cronin will be hoping Bray’s star player Dylan McGlade will slot some goals home against Drogheda tomorrow evening as McGlade has dipped out of form in recent games.

He scored three goals in his first five games for the Wicklow side.

DROGHEDA UNITED

The Claret and Blue come into this fixture in good form. They haven’t lost their last four fixtures. Tim Clancy’s side have seen off Galway, Wexford, an impressive 3-5 away win against Athlone Town and a stalemate draw with Shelbourne last Friday night in Tolka Park.

Fans will be looking out for danger man Thomas Byrne on Friday night. Byrne is a player with a great deal of talent under his belt, shown in his first spell with Drogheda and his time last season with St Patrick’s Athletic.

He has the ability to play up front, in behind the striker or out on the wing, and he is also very capable of scoring goals.

The only down side to Byrne’s play is his temper, the 20 year old has been sent off four times in the last two seasons, twice for Drogheda and twice for St.Pat’s. If manager Tim Clancy can keep Byrne’s discipline problems to a minimum, spectators are in for a treat.

Clancy also praised Jake Hyland recently after recent long injury lay-off. Clancy had this to say to the media; “It’s never easy coming back off a long lay-off but you can see the presence he gives in the middle of the pitch.”

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH FACTS

The away side have the better win percentage against Bray.

Drogheda have a 50% win record while Bray’s is only 31.3% with draws just below the 20% mark , at 18.3%.

Bray though haven’t lost to Drogheda United in their last 5 meetings, “The Seagulls” have won four of those ties and drew one.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 8/11; Draw 12/5; Drogheda United 3/1.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Drogheda United

Bray Wanderers:

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

Drogheda United

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None