League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Longford Town

BRAY WANDERERS 

Bray Wanderers head coach Ian Ryan admits the First Division is going to be ‘unpredictable’ as his side get set to welcome Longford Town to the Carlisle Grounds on Monday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Seagulls were due to host the Red and Black at the Co Wicklow venue earlier this month. 

But the game was postponed due to unexpected snowfall on the East Coast earlier that day.

Since then, Bray have endured a patchy few results, with their 4-3 loss at home to Wexford underlining the unpredictability of the second tier.

“That shows to me how the league is going to be. So far, it’s been unpredictable,” Ryan told his club’s media team.

“Some teams have won a couple, lost a couple. The only thing this year is that teams will take points off each other. 

“If we can go on a run with a couple of games in a row, that’s what we’re aiming for. We also have Friday (home to Cobh) and Monday (away to Finn Harps). 

“So, some positive results could shoot us up the table.”

On-loan midfielder Freddie Turley misses the encounter as he has linked with the Ireland under-19s for the second of their two friendlies away against Slovakia.

Darren Craven remains out with a hamstring issue while there are also injury concerns over the attack trio of Shane Griffin, Cristian Magerusan and Ben Feeney.

LONGFORD TOWN

Reeling from Friday night’s draw against Athlone Town, Longford Town will be seeking a reaction against Bray Wanderers.

The Red and Black appeared to be coasting to a midlands derby win when they raced into a 3-0 lead at Lissywollen.

But a second half collapse against their local rivals left a bitter taste in the mouth as Dario Castelo’s side drew 3-3. 

That leaves them licking their wounds ahead of Monday’s trip to Bray, and they know that a win is a must if they are to get their season up and running. 

“It’s nice that we have a game on Monday (after Friday),” captain Shane Elworthy told his club’s media team on Friday night.

“We haven’t had the opportunity to get back on the wagon quickly after defeats this season so it’s nice to be able to play on Monday and try to put it right.

“We were really good in the first half on Friday.”

Longford will be without injured trio Viktor Serdeniuk, Aaron Walsh and Jamie Egan.

Referee: Mark Houlihan. 

PREDICTION 

Bray Wanderers 2-2 Longford Town 

Bray Wanderers 

Injured: Darren Craven

Doubtful: Shane Griffin, Cristian Magerusan, Ben Feeney.

Unavailable: Freddie Turley (international duty). 

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Viktor Serdeniuk, Aaron Walsh, Jamie Egan.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.