League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Athlone Town

BRAY WANDERERS

Fifth-placed Bray Wanderers play host to ninth place Athlone Town at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Bray come into this game on a positive note, winning and drawing their last two matches. They beat Limerick 1-0 two weeks ago and drew with Galway United 2-2 last Friday night at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Ex Athlone Town man Dean Williams who was on loan from Shamrock Rovers will look to net against his old club.

Williams found the net eight times for Athlone with them scoring twenty.

The last time the sides met Bray Wanderers thumped the Midlander’s by five goals  to nil at Lissywoolen.

Dylan Barnett, Joe Doyle, Sean Heaney, Jake Ellis and Derek Daly claimed all three points for the Seagulls that night.

Gary Cronin will be looking for something similar on Friday evening.

Bray lie in 5^th position with 32 points while Athlone lie in 9^th, on a mere 16 points after

Dylan McGlade remains Bray’s top scorer with ten goals this season.

ATHLONE TOWN

Searching for their first way win since March, Athlone Town travel to Co. Wicklow on Friday evening on the lookout for their next three points on the road.  

Their last away win came against Bray on the 15^th March when captain Aaron Brilly scored the winner to see off Gary Cronin’s side at the Carlisle Grounds.

Athlone’s last two results haven’t been positive though with them losing 2-1 vs Cobh Ramblers and last week’s 2-1 loss to Shelbourne.

Athlone Town boss Terry Butler, speaking to Extratime.ie last week said; “I think we can finish in the top half of the table.

“We’ve a very young team so it’s a learning curve with these players.”

Butler also admitted the side’s lack of experience has cost them to earn points on the board this season.

Kealan Dillon and Evan Pierce remain the club’s top scorers with them both on three goals.

Athlone have not provided team news but Sean Fitzpatrick, Ollie Hamzat and Nika Kalandarishvili are expected to take their place in the matchday squad following their recent arrivals from Cabinteely.

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 1/3; Draw 7/2; Athlone Town 6/1.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 2-1 Athlone Town.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.