League Preview: Galway United -v- Bray Wanderers

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to make it nine wins from nine, extending their spectacular start to this season, when they host Bray Wanderers at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Last week John Caulfield’s side broke a club record for most wins in a row when they ran out 4-0 winners over Wexford for their eighth win on the bounce.

David Hurley, Francely Lomboto, Darren Clarke and Vince Borden were all on the scoresheet to claim another three points, and also another clean sheet with the Tribesmen having five to their name so far this season having only conceded three goals.

A worry for United was an injury to Ronan Manning who was absent last week – it remains to be seen if he will be involved on Friday night, and the same can be said for Regan Donelon who suffered an injury against Cobh Ramblers on St Patrick’s Day and has not featured in a match day squad since.

BRAY WANDERERS

Wanderer have been in impressive form this season and have only lost one game so far, with Cobh Ramblers beating Ian Ryan’s men at the end of March.

Last week they returned to winning ways when they hosted Athlone Town – it was a bit of a game of two halves with the visitors to the Carlisle Grounds on top for much of the first half.

Bray came out in the second half and pushed to find a winner as they dominated the game – Cole Omorehiomwan delivered with the imposing centre back scoring his fourth goal of the season last Friday night.

“Galway are flying – they are well ahead of everybody. But deservedly so,” Wanderers’ Head Coach Ian Ryansaid, speaking to the club’s website.

“They have been together a while as a squad and have invested heavily. They are where they expect to be. All be it they’ve probably exceeded their expectations by winning all eight games.

 “We know it is a daunting task for us. But we’ll give it a go. We are second in the table on merit. It should be an exciting game.

“We were down a couple of bodies last week. We saw that we were still able to get the win and people performed really well. When one door closes another door opens. We’re looking to make a good performance against the league leaders.”

Ian Ryan will have Alex Moody available to him once again as the goalkeeper returns from suspension, Len O’Sullivan could make a return to the backline with the defender returning to training this week.

Dane Massey came off injured against Athlone and is an injury concern for Bray, along with Eoin Farrell and Joe Power with Conor Crowley sidelined long term.

Referee: Paul Norton

MATCH STATS

Friday night’s fixture is a top of the table clash although United are currently nine points ahead of Wanderers.

The side met four times last year with the Tribesmen emerging victorious in three of those meetings, Wanders did win in Eamonn Deacy Park in August in their fourth meeting of 2022.

Galway United broke a club record last Friday night with their eight win in a row – a win over Bray would be their ninth.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–0 Bray Wanderers

Galway United

Injured: Callum McNamara.

Doubtful: Regan Donelon, Ronan Manning.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Conor Crowley, Eoin Farrell, Joe Power.

Doubtful: Dane Massey.

Suspended: None.