UCD -v- Bray Wanderers
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UCD will be hoping to continue their recent mini revival against a severely depleted Bray Wanderers at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night (kick off 7.45.p.m). The students have picked up four points from their last two league games but are still 13 points behind the Wicklow club in the Premier League table.
UCD will face Bray with a clean bill of health. Midfielder Robbie Creevy will return to the home team's squad after his recent lengthy lay off of due to a leg injury. UCD have already lost narrowly to Wanderers twice this season. Manager Martin Russell told the UCD website that he is hoping for a better result on Friday night against the Wicklow club “We are eager to get our first win over Bray this season. The previous games have been close and we are looking to build on our away win against Galway United."
Russell is also happy at the prospect of facing St.Johnstone and Villareal in summer friendlies "We are obviously delighted that both St.Johnstone FC and Villarreal have agreed to fixtures as part of their pre-season preparations and our boys are excited at the prospect of the tough challenge of playing against full-time professionals that regularly compete with some of the best sides in the world.”
Bray Wanderers, who have lost their last four league games on the bounce will be without a number of key players for the trip to Belfield. Both midfielder Danny O'Connor and defender Dane Massey will miss the match through suspension after accumulating four yellow cards each.
Pat Devlin's men will continue to be without long-term injury victims Darren Quigley (arm), Stephen Brennan (calf),Gary Shaw(foot) and Jake Kelly(hamstring). Stephen Last is doubtful because he is carrying a hamstring injury. Bray will also be without Joe Kendrick who has signed for Stockport County.
Bray Director of football Devlin will also serve a one match ban. He believes that his side can bounce back from last week's 3-0 defeat at home to Sligo Rovers. "We can bounce back from this defeat. We have had a tough two weeks. We have played U.C.D twice this season and were fortunate to win on each occasion and I hope or luck holds out for Friday".
UCD.
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injured:Darren Quigley (arm), Stephen Brennan(calf),Gary Shaw(foot) and Jake Kelly(hamstring) .
Doubtful: Stephen Last
Suspended: Danny O'Connor, Dane Massey and Pat Devlin.
Referee:Padraig Sutton.
Paddy Power Odds: UCD 2/1, Draw 12/5, Bray Wanderers 6/5.
Extratime prediction: UCD 2-1 Bray Wanderers.
