Dundalk -v- Bray Wanderers

• Keith Wallace
• Mon, Aug 10 2009


Dundalk will look to make it back-to-back wins when they welcome Bray Wanderers to Oriel Park on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm) just 72 hours after a remarkable comeback against Sligo Rovers. The Lilywhites trailed by two goals in the Showgrounds with just quarter of the match remaining but three late strikes, including a double from Chris Turner, saw them secure the most unlikeliest of wins.

Bray, on the other hand, have not been in action since last Friday week, when they lost by a single goal in Cork, after their planned trip to Saint Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday was postponed. Eddie Gormley’s side currently prop up the table having found wins hard to come by, their only victory in their last seven league games coming at Drogheda United three weeks ago. That is in stark contract to Dundalk, who were at the weekend recording their sixth win in eight in the league, and their seventh in nine in all competitions.

Sean Connor can welcome back Michael Daly as the midfielder has now completed his suspension, but some of the squad are suffering from a flu outbreak and may be unavailable for selection. However, despite that, Michael McGowan, who scored his first club goal in Sligo, knows the quality in the squad can overcome such hindrances. “To come from 3-1 down to win 4-3 I think shows the spirit and the character of the players that we have got in the club,” the versatile 24-year-old told dundalkfc.com. “We know that Bray will be another tough game but we’ll be looking for another positive result and hopefully we can get it.”

The sides have already met twice this term and it is Dundalk who hold the upper hand so far, taking four points. Back in April, Declan O’Brien and Jake Kelly exchanged first-half goals as Bray, despite hitting the woodwork four times, had to settle for a share of the spoils at the Carlisle Grounds. At Oriel Park in June, it was a different matter as Dundalk hit the front through Turner after just 30 seconds before Ger Rowe and Tiarnán Mulvenna sealed a comfortable win. The Lilywhites, interestingly, have not been involved in a goalless game in any competition since holding Bray at the seaside in the FAI Cup on 15 August last (39 games ago).

Bray will be without Stephen Brennan as he serves a one match ban for his sending off in Cork. Also missing will be Paul Byrne whose knee injury has still not healed. There is also a doubt about central defender Derek Foran who has a calf injury and he will have a late fitness test ahead of the game. Gary McCabe returns having missed the Cork game through suspension. Long term injury victim Chris Deans who has missed the last six games is back in training but is a couple of weeks away from full fitness.

Speaking during the week Eddie Gormley said "It was a good performance in Cork, in difficult circumstances and the lads have to take a lot of credit for that, they didn't have any luck and we just needed a slice of luck to turn things". He added "It will be a tough game on Tuesday, they [Dundalk] are on a roll and their confidence will be high especially after their win over the weekend. They beat us well up there the last time and we will be hoping to improve on that".

Extratime.ie Prediction: Dundalk to win 2-1.