League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bray Wanderers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda will be looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome Bray Wanderers to United Park this Friday (We will have live commentary of the game on extratime.com from 7:45pm while the game will also be streamed live on Drogheda's YouTube channel).

The Boynesiders returned to action post lockdown last Sunday with a 2-2 draw with Shamrock Rovers II.

Before the game many United supporters would have been disappointed with getting just a point from the trip to Tallaght Stadium.

However, given that Drogheda were two goals and a man down after 28 minutes, a 2-2 draw wasn’t the worst score line in the world.

United went behind to a Liam Scales header after just 40 seconds at the Dublin venue before Sean Callan added another after 23 minutes. 

Tim Clancy would have been forgiven for thinking his side were in for a long day when Mark Hughes was given a straight red card five minutes later.

The comeback started for Drogheda three minutes later though, as Mark Doyle scored just after the half hour mark before a sensational strike from Brandon Bermingham eight minutes from time earned the Louth side a point.

Clancy will be without the services of Mark Hughes who is suspended after his sending off at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday.

Luke Heeney, Adam Wixted and goalkeeper Luca Gratzer are all doubts for the game due to respective injuries.

BRAY WANDERERS

Gary Cronin will be hoping his side can kick on following their 2-0 win away to Longford Town earlier this week, when his side travel to United Park on Friday.

A brace from Gary Shaw, who is just one goal behind Cabinteely’s Shane Barnes at the top of the First Division goal scorer charts, gave the Seagulls a surprise three points at Bishopsgate.

Bray head into Friday night’s game having last won a league fixture at United Park back in 2015, something that Cronin will be hoping to change this week as his side look to climb the First Division table.

Cronin has a full squad to pick from for Friday’s trip after the Wicklow side reported no injuries or suspensions.

Referee: Alan Carey.

MATCH STATS

Bray got the better of United twice last term with 4-1 and 3-1 wins at the Carlisle Grounds while United beat the Seagulls 1-0 at home in June.

The Seagulls last league win at United Park came in August 2015, when Hugh Douglas, now of Drogheda United scored two minutes from time to secure a 1-0 win.

Only league leaders Cabinteely (10) have scored more goals than United (9) in this season’s First Division.

BETTING

Drogheda United 10/11; Draw 23/10; Bray Wanderers 5/2.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1–0 Bray Wanderers

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Luke Heeney, Adam Wixted, Luca Gratzer.

Suspended: Mark Hughes.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.