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Dundalk -v- Bray Wanderers
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Jun 04 2009
8th place face 9th as Bray Wanderers travel northwards to face fellow-strugglers Dundalk, in what should be a fascinating relegation battle at Oriel Park tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm). The two sides drew back in April at the Carlisle Grounds, with Jake Kelly scoring a penalty for Bray after a fabulous Declan O’Brien strike gave Dundalk a 42nd minute lead.
The Seagulls come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over a depleted Sligo Rovers on Tuesday night and Eddie Gormley cited their second half performance as key. "In the first half we were hesitant and didn't pass the ball very well, but after our half time talk we produced an impressive second half performance. We played with belief and created plenty of chances; it was probably our best 45 minutes this season. The result will give the lads more confidence, but Friday won't be easy as Dundalk are a very good, experienced side and we will need to be at our best to maximise our chances of getting something from the game."
Dundalk have been very poor going forward and have failed to score more than once in a game since the beginning of April when they defeated Sligo Rovers. However, Sean Connor still believes that his side need a bit of luck and they can get out of their current position. “We’re not panicking as a group and the other thing as well is that the effort and the application from the players in games has been magnificent. They’re not dropping their heads - we have gone behind in the last three games and we’ve gone out and chased the game in the second half with conviction and purpose, and probably what we’re not just getting is the drop of the ball,” he said.
Chris Deans is suspended for Bray, while Paddy Kavanagh is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Dave Mulcahy should make his return though, after missing out last Tuesday due to suspension. Meanwhile, Dundalk have a clean bill of health. Thomas Heary and Michael Synnott are both nursing knocks but are expected to be fit in time, but other than that they will go into the game at full strength.
Dundalk haven’t beaten Bray since November 2004, while Bray won the last time the two sides met at Oriel in the FAI Cup last season. The Lilywhites are 6/5 to get their first win in five, while Bray are 5/2 to win their first game away from home since the first of May. Referee for the game is Mr Neil Doyle
Extratime.ie Prediction: It will be close so if Bray can score you’d fancy them to get something. 2-1 to the Seagulls.
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.