Bohemians -v- Bray Wanderers

• Gareth Penrose
• Thu, Sep 03 2009


Top of the table Bohemians welcome bottom of the table Bray Wanderers to Dalymount Park on Friday night for their League of Ireland Premier Division clash. (kick-off 7:45pm).

Bray Wanderers have the weight of history against them for this game. Bohemians have defeated them twice this campaign, 2-0 in Dalymount and in the Carlisle Grounds in July they were beaten 3-1. Looking further back, Bray have failed to win against Bohs in Dalymount in their last 12 league visits, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 15 visits.

However there is always upsets in football, and earlier this week Sligo Rovers managed to pull off a surprise win against the Dubliners.

"We didn't start well enough" is Fenlon's explanation for Tuesday’s defeat, as he ruled out possible tiredness due to the crowded fixture list. "There's no issue there. We finished like a train, pressing hard and creating chances."

Fenlon expects another intense tussle with Bray because, "like Sligo, they're fighting for their lives".

Manager Pat Fenlon has a nearly-full squad available to him for Friday, with only Owen Heary (hamstring) remaining sidelined.

Last week Bray lost by a single goal to Derry City and manager Eddie Gormley was disappointed with the result but not his teams performance. “The lads had battled hard and I was sorry for them with the cruel end to the game. We need to pick ourselves up now and be positive as we face Bohs who in my opinion are the best team in the League".

He added "We will go there, work hard and hope for a little luck and see what happens it’s not a time to be feeling sorry for ourselves".

Bray Wanderers will be without Paul Byrne for the meeting, his knee injury is still causing problems. There is a doubt about Shane O'Neill (ankle). Gormley does welcome back from suspension the experienced trio of Dave Mulcahy, Stephen Brennan and Daire Doyle all of whom missed the defeat to Derry City last week.

Extratime.ie Prediction: Bohemians should be too strong for Bray. 2-0.