League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Wexford Youths

Joe Doyle

Joe Doyle Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

BRAY WANDERERS

The Seagulls are on their best run of form since the season began with their 3-0 win over Cabinteely last weekend making it six games on the trot without defeat.

Twelve points from a maximum of 18 is top four form and as a result it’s not surprising that they have now climbed to fifth place in the league, on the same points total, 26, as fourth place UCD.

A top four spot would always have been a minimum objective for manager Gary Cronin and while it has taken them some time to get there after a sluggish start, their recent performances suggest they will be involved in the promotion play offs at the end of the season.

Their 3-0 win over Cabinteely was well deserved with ex-Cabo player Joe Doyle showing the way with the opening goal after 30 minutes. That was Doyle’s seventh of the season and it pushes him up the goal scoring charts to joint fourth place alongside Michael O’ Connor (Shelbourne) and Cian Murphy (Cork City). Cronin will also be happy that recent new signing Sam Verdon got on the score sheet with Shamrock Rovers loanee Brandon Kavanagh adding the insurance third goal in the 86th minute.

Bray are allowed 500 supporters for this East Coast derby on Friday night and Cronin and his back-room staff will be hoping they provide that extra edge that will see them continue their recent excellent form.

WEXFORD 

Wexford do not appear to have any light at the end of the tunnel with their recent 3-0 FAI Cup win over Cabinteely not being able to spur them on to an improved run of form in the league.

 They faced Galway United at home in Ferrycarrig Park after their cup success but even with the benefit of a lead goal from Jack Moylan in the 45th minute, they conceded three goals after the break to eventually lose 3-1 to John Caulfield’s side.

They remain very much rooted at the base of the league table on five points, ten adrift of ninth placed Cork City, with only one win and two draws to their credit this season.



The expected new manager bounce following the appointment of ex –UCD man Ian Ryan in mid- May has not materialised and they have become increasingly reliant on local, inexperienced young players over the past number of weeks.

Two of their under-19 team who have recently been part of the Irish International under-19 assessment process, Donal Porter and Tyler Dunphy, made their senior debuts against Galway and have bright futures ahead of them.

Wexford make the short trip up the N 11 with the good news that Jack Doherty is back in the squad following a return from suspension but that is offset somewhat with injury doubts over Cian Kelly and Kyle Robinson.

Referee: Paul Norton

MATCH STATS

Bray have very much had the upper hand in clashes with Wexford in recent years, winning seven out of the last eight matches between the two sides.



Wexford’s only success was a 2-0 home win back in March 2019 when Emmet Nugent and Jack Doherty scored their goals.

In this season’s clash between the teams in May, Bray came out on top by a single goal in Ferrycarrig Park, Joe Doyle netting in the 44th minute.

BETTING

Bray 1/4; Draw 4/1; Wexford 15/2

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 3 - 1 Wexford 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Wexford 

Injured: Jack Connolly

Doubtful: Cian Kelly, Kyle Robinson

Suspended: None

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