Bray Wanderers -v- Galway United
Credit:
Having secured their first home victory of the season with a 2-1 triumph over Drogheda United last Friday evening, Bray Wanderers will be hoping to keep their good run going when they welcome Galway United to the Carlisle Grounds tomorrow evening. (Kick-off 7.45pm)
Heading into round seven, Pat Devlin's men found themselves in a very respectable fifth place in the Airtricity Premier Division table but, after Bohemians' draw with Champions Shamrock Rovers, they moved into fourth place, trailing the Tallaght side by just a single point. The season have been less kind to the Tribesmen though, as they currently find themselves second from bottom with just one win from seven games, and they had a day to forget last time out when they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Derry City.
One of the most impressive things about Bray's start to the season is the fact that they have achieved it without the services of a number of their first-team squad. Gary Shaw (foot) and Stephen Brennan (calf) continue to be long-term absentees, while Shane O'Neill is a doubt for this game with a groin strain. On the plus side though, Joe Kendrick has recovered from a thigh strain, and will be back in the reckoning for a place in the match-day squad.
Bray are certainly in fine fettle at the moment, and will go into this game as favourites to come away with the three points. However, speaking during the week, Director Of Football Devlin was adamant that his players will not go into the game overconfident.
“We will go into the game with confidence after our recent performances, but we won't be over confident. We know that Galway have always put it up to us over the years and any team managed by Sean Connor will be well organised. They will make it difficult for us and we will have to be on our toes right from the start”, Devlin stated.
Galway have injury problems of their own, as Gary Curran (broken metatarsal), Joseph Yoffe (ankle) and Alan Murphy (groin strain) are still some way short of reaching full fitness and Shaun Maher will also miss out through suspension.
“Right now we're missing Gary Curran, Alan Murphy Shaun Maher and Joseph Yoffe”, said Connors. “There's four big players out for us. Our squad is being tested to the limits, but that's an opportunity for some of the younger players to come in and show me what they're capable of”, Connor remarked.
Whenever Bray and Galway face each other, good entertainment can be guaranteed, and it is interesting to note that, in their previous 44 meetings in all competitions, the two sides have never played out a scoreless draw. Having said that, Galway have had the better of the recent history in this fixture and they had been on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions against the Wicklow men until their 4-0 reversal in the Carlisle Grounds last September.
That game put Bray on the road to avoiding relegation, and set back Galway's own campaign against the drop, but United did recover to beat Bray in a relegation play-off at the end of the season. Bray defeated Monaghan in a two-legged play-off to stay up and they seem to have surpassed their imminent opponents in the top-flight pecking order.
Yet, it is still early days, and it remains to be seen how long Bray can maintain their apparent push for a top half finish. Galway may well end up fighting right to the death to avoid relegation to the First Division, and their one victory so far would suggest that things will not be easy for them. But that one win did come against Bohemians, when they displayed the work ethic, determination and hunger that is required at this level, so they should not be discounted from this game.
Judging on current form Bray would be firm favourites, but there will be more pressure on the home side to record a victory here than there would normally be. The fact that Galway also have a decent record against Bray (their defeat last Autumn not withstanding) may well help The Tribesmen to secure a draw on the night.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Gary Shaw, Stephen Brennan.
Doubtful: Shane O'Neill.
Suspended: None.
Galway United
Injured: Gary Curran, Joseph Yoffe, Alan Murphy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Shaun Maher.
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).
Paddy Power odds: Bray Wanderers 4/5; Draw 23/10; Galway United 7/2.
Extratime prediction: Bray Wanderers 1-1 Galway United.
Heading into round seven, Pat Devlin's men found themselves in a very respectable fifth place in the Airtricity Premier Division table but, after Bohemians' draw with Champions Shamrock Rovers, they moved into fourth place, trailing the Tallaght side by just a single point. The season have been less kind to the Tribesmen though, as they currently find themselves second from bottom with just one win from seven games, and they had a day to forget last time out when they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Derry City.
One of the most impressive things about Bray's start to the season is the fact that they have achieved it without the services of a number of their first-team squad. Gary Shaw (foot) and Stephen Brennan (calf) continue to be long-term absentees, while Shane O'Neill is a doubt for this game with a groin strain. On the plus side though, Joe Kendrick has recovered from a thigh strain, and will be back in the reckoning for a place in the match-day squad.
Bray are certainly in fine fettle at the moment, and will go into this game as favourites to come away with the three points. However, speaking during the week, Director Of Football Devlin was adamant that his players will not go into the game overconfident.
“We will go into the game with confidence after our recent performances, but we won't be over confident. We know that Galway have always put it up to us over the years and any team managed by Sean Connor will be well organised. They will make it difficult for us and we will have to be on our toes right from the start”, Devlin stated.
Galway have injury problems of their own, as Gary Curran (broken metatarsal), Joseph Yoffe (ankle) and Alan Murphy (groin strain) are still some way short of reaching full fitness and Shaun Maher will also miss out through suspension.
“Right now we're missing Gary Curran, Alan Murphy Shaun Maher and Joseph Yoffe”, said Connors. “There's four big players out for us. Our squad is being tested to the limits, but that's an opportunity for some of the younger players to come in and show me what they're capable of”, Connor remarked.
Whenever Bray and Galway face each other, good entertainment can be guaranteed, and it is interesting to note that, in their previous 44 meetings in all competitions, the two sides have never played out a scoreless draw. Having said that, Galway have had the better of the recent history in this fixture and they had been on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions against the Wicklow men until their 4-0 reversal in the Carlisle Grounds last September.
That game put Bray on the road to avoiding relegation, and set back Galway's own campaign against the drop, but United did recover to beat Bray in a relegation play-off at the end of the season. Bray defeated Monaghan in a two-legged play-off to stay up and they seem to have surpassed their imminent opponents in the top-flight pecking order.
Yet, it is still early days, and it remains to be seen how long Bray can maintain their apparent push for a top half finish. Galway may well end up fighting right to the death to avoid relegation to the First Division, and their one victory so far would suggest that things will not be easy for them. But that one win did come against Bohemians, when they displayed the work ethic, determination and hunger that is required at this level, so they should not be discounted from this game.
Judging on current form Bray would be firm favourites, but there will be more pressure on the home side to record a victory here than there would normally be. The fact that Galway also have a decent record against Bray (their defeat last Autumn not withstanding) may well help The Tribesmen to secure a draw on the night.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Gary Shaw, Stephen Brennan.
Doubtful: Shane O'Neill.
Suspended: None.
Galway United
Injured: Gary Curran, Joseph Yoffe, Alan Murphy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Shaun Maher.
Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).
Paddy Power odds: Bray Wanderers 4/5; Draw 23/10; Galway United 7/2.
Extratime prediction: Bray Wanderers 1-1 Galway United.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile