Credit:
Derry City -v- Bray Wanderers
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Jun 18 2009
Second placed Derry City welcome struggling Bray Wanderers to Brandywell tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm), knowing that they can move top if they can better Bohemians’ result.The two sides drew earlier in the season at the Carlisle Grounds when the Candystripes took the lead before Bray top scorer Gary McCabe equalised for the Seagulls.
Derry are unbeaten since the defeat to Cork City over a month ago and have been very strong defensively. They easily dispatched of Ballymun United in the FAI Cup last week, hammering the LSL side 6-0. Candystripes boss, Stephen Kenny remains positive that they can challenge Bohs all the way but the defence has been key recently. "The team have worked very hard recently and I think that has been reflected by the fact that we have kept 5 consecutive clean sheets, we've looked very solid of late and goalkeeper Gerard Doherty has been excellent,” he said.
Despite just the one loss in seven, Kenny knows that the Seagulls will come to the Brandywell looking for a result, adding: “Bray are one of those sides that will have a go and don't tend to sit back, they have good players and it will be a tough game. But as I've said if we can continue keeping it tight at the back and continue to create chances we will hopefully be able to push on and finish strongly before the break."
Bray advanced into the fourth round of the FAI Cup with a win over non-league Bluebell United, though Eddie Gormley’s already threadbare squad was depleted even further. Ahead of tomorrow night’s game, Gormley said: "It was a tough game last week and we suffered a number of injuries which was disappointing as you need a full squad going north. Derry are a very good side and you could do with your best players available. We will go there and hopefully give a good account of ourselves and maybe get something from the game.”
Gormley will not want a repeat of their last league game, a 3-0 battering away to fellow relegation opponents Dundalk but he will go into battle without Chris Deans and Dave Webster who are definitely ruled out. He must also wait on the fitness of trio, Paddy Kavanagh, Chris Shiels and Derek Foran. Meanwhile, Derry have Stephen Gray suspended while Liam Kearney remains a long term absentee after he broke his leg. Barry Molloy and Tommy Stewart are ruled out, though Tam McManus and Peter Hutton are set to make their return from injury.
Extratime.ie Prediction: The home side will keep the pressure on Bohs’ with a win here; 2-0.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90.