League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Bray Wanderers
Shelbourne moved eight points clear at the top of the First Division thanks to a 4-1 defeat of Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds Credit: Al Robinson (ETPhotos)
SHELBOURNE
It was perhaps inevitable that if Shelbourne’s unbeaten run in the First Division was to come to an end it would be one of their closest challengers who would halt their gallop at the top of the table.
This is exactly what transpired last weekend as Galway United, currently second in the table, inflicted a 3-1 defeat on the Reds in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday August 13th.
Shelbourne’s form had become a bit patchy in recent weeks as they had only picked up two points in their previous two outings, a 2-2 draw at home to Cobh Ramblers and a 0-0 draw away to UCD.
There are eight league games left in the season and while they are still seven points ahead of Galway Utd and ten ahead of Friday night’s visitors Bray Wanderers, they will want to revert to winning ways as quickly as possible and not get drawn into the play off situation which faces teams who end up in positions two to four.
Ian Morris’s squad depth was tested in recent weeks with a number of key players unavailable for various reasons and for the Galway game they were particularly impacted up front with leading scorer Michael O ‘Connor suspended and fellow striker Yoyo Mahdy confined to a place on the bench.
Speaking to club media during the week Morris said he has been pleased to see the desire from his players this week “who weren’t happy with losing the unbeaten record.”
“We’re looking to get back to business. We’ve been fantastic all season and we’re looking forward to tomorrow night,” he added.
“Bray are doing well at the moment but the league is strong at the minute with tough games every week, but that’s the challenge,” he said.
Morris said he is pleased to have nearly a full squad to choose from with a wealth of options up front, though he also added “there will be need for players to play a key role coming off the bench too.”
“We have Dayle and Farreler flying, Yassine really impressing, Yoyo coming back to full fitness, Ryan our top scorer and Michael is back now too with Eric as well so we’ve got good options,” he said.
BRAY WANDERERS
Bray Wanderers extended their own unbeaten run in the league to eight games when they recorded a last minute 1-0 win over Treaty Utd at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday August 13th.
Conor Clifford was the hero of the day for Gary Cronin’s side as he slotted home a 91st minute penalty to secure all three points for the home side.
This win has pushed Bray up to third place in the league table, their highest position since the season started, ten points behind their opponents this weekend.
The recent additions of new signings Daniel Jones and Sam Verdon has given manager Cronin additional strength in depth.
So much so, that he could afford to leave experienced campaigners such as captain Aaron Barry, Ryan Graydon and Luka Lovic on the bench for the Treaty game.
Bray’s last defeat in the league was ironically against Shelbourne back in June, a 4-1 loss at home, so they will have an extra incentive to reverse that result when they walk out on Tolka Park on Friday night.
Cronin spoke to the Bray media team during the week..
"They’ll bounce back I’m sure, they are in a great position but I’ve been there with Longford before where we had a massive lead and lost it. It is possible.
"It depends on how they react to their first defeat of the season but that’s their job and it has nothing to do with us. We have to go and put it up to them.
"If we can beat them, I think we will be seven points off them and you just don’t know then with the run they are are on. It will make things more interesting’’.
Referee: Mark Moynihan/
MATCH STATS
Shelbourne have not been beaten by Bray Wanderers in their last five clashes, winning three and drawing two games going back as far as April 2019.
As well as the 4-1 win for Shelbourne at the Carlisle Grounds in June, the sides also played out a 3-3 draw at Tolka Park in April, Georgie Poynton (2) and Ryan Brennan being on the scoresheet for Shels with Brandon Kavanagh (2) and Ryan Graydon netting for the Seagulls.
BETTING
Shelbourne 13/10; Draw 11/5; Bray Wanderers 9/5.
PREDICTION
Shelbourne 2 - 1 Bray Wanderers
Shelbourne
Injured: Gerardo Bruna, Denzil Fernandez, JJ Lunney.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
