Bray Wanderers -v- Galway United

• Alan Dooley
• Thu, Jul 23 2009


Eddie Gormley's low-flying Seagulls will have to overcome some poor recent history against Galway United tomorrow night if they are to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season at the Carlisle Grounds (kick off:7.45pm).

The clubs have met on 11 occasions over the last three seasons in all competitions, with both of Bray Wanderers successes coming at Terryland Park. Since a late winner by Ger Rowe in the club's first meeting last year, Galway have had the Indian sign over Gormley's men as five wins and two draws were recorded with an aggregate score of 16-3.

Whether the Westerners can continue that good run of results remains to be seen, but the permanent signing of Sean Kelly should give the squad a much-needed morale boost after a spanking last week at the hands of Dundalk. Michael McGrath has made way, departing for Sligo in an obvious wage-balancing measure, so Cian McBrien or Alan Murphy will be looking to get some more game time over the coming weeks.

Bray reversed a run of four losses when winning in Drogheda last Friday, halting Alan Mathews' side's march away from the bottom of the table. They were, by most accounts, fortunate to win the game, but will care less and be looking to get back their reputation as a hard-to-beat side when Galway United visit the seaside venue.

Gormley admitted the determination shown was the most pleasing thing from last weekend: "I was delighted to get the three points last Friday, it wasn't a great performance but it was a battling performance, the lads were determined not to lose the lead they had gained."

He added: "It will be a different game this week, it will be a tough game, but the lads will be confident following last week's result and will be looking for another three points."

Chris Deans and Paul Byrne are both still recovering from niggling injuries and will sit out tomorrow's encounter, but Gormley may be tempted to throw a recent loan acquisition from Juventus, 17-year-old Alessandro Gaiotti, into the fray. Paddy Kavanagh has proclaimed his willingness to work for the Bray cause for the remainder of his contract and his deft touches could be the difference between staying up and a return to the First Division.

Galway welcome back Derek O'Brien, Shane Guthrie, and Jay O'Shea to their matchday squad. O'Shea has generally sparkled when facing his former club, crashing in a Goal of the Month past Chris O'Connor in May, but the scouts who have been interested in recent times may be more worried by the winger's lack of incision against the stronger teams in the league. Still, a move away from Terryland Park seems more than likely, with O'Shea out of contract in the winter. Shane Fitzgerald's woes continue as, with injury overcome, illness strikes - a virus rules him out.

extratime.ie Prediction: Score Draw.