League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Limerick

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers will look to get back to winning ways on Friday night as they host a fifth place Limerick at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Gary Cronin’s side will look to try and snatch all three points against Limerick on Friday night having lost their last two league games.

Two weeks ago, they were level with Drogheda United up until the 90^th minute before defender Luke McNally scored late on to secure all three points for the Boynesiders.  

If one late defeat was not enough for the Seagulls, another was to come in their most recent defeat to Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

Dylan McGlade levelled proceedings with just a quarter of an hour to play before Cabo’s Japanese winger Yuta Sasaki went on a dancing run to secure a famous three points for Pat Devlin’s side.

Gary Cronin again will have new boys Dean Williams and Dylan Thornton available for selection after their recent arrivals at the club on loan from Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians respectively – with both in line to make their Carlisle Grounds debut.

Top scorer McGlade will also look to get some further points on the board for the Seagulls having caused a litany of problems for Limerick on their last visit to the Carlisle Grounds.

LIMERICK

On an impressive run of form, Limerick are unbeaten in six matches with four wins over Cobh Ramblers, Cabinteely, Galway United and Longford Town along with two draws against Athlone Town and Wexford respectively.

The Blues haven’t had much in the way of positive news in recent weeks amid financial difficulties at the historic Markets Field club.

Under-21 International Will Fitzgerald has departed the club to join Premier Division Waterford while Killian Brouder and Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen have also left the club.

Clyde O’Connell, Sean Madigan and Alan Murphy have all however joined the club in recent days at Tommy Barrett looks to strengthen his options ahead of the business end of the season.

Speaking to SportingLimerick.com, Limerick’s longest serving player Shane Tracy is confident that the current group of players can reach the play-offs.

 “I think the manner in which we won (v Longford) was great. I think we played really well and went ahead early doors with Tomas O’Connor and his first senior goal was brilliant.

“To react after conceding a goal straight after showed character and also quality with the excellent goals we scored.

The full-back soon added; “Hopefully we can go up there (to Bray) and get a good result, it’s another game to look forward to and it’ll put a nice gap in the table with seven or eight games to go”.

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH FACTS

Out of the last twenty-two games played between the sides, Bray have won six while there has been four draws and Limerick have won twelve.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 8/13; Draw 13/5; Limerick 9/2

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1-1 Limerick.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Limerick

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.