Galway United -v- Bray Wanderers

• Alan Dooley
• Thu, Oct 01 2009


Bray Wanderers travel west tomorrow for a fixture with Galway United (kick-off 7.45pm) that could cement The Seagulls fate as automatic relegation candidates or give them the boost they badly need in their attempts to overhaul Sligo Rovers or Drogheda United.

Two narrow losses over the course of the last week have left Eddie Gormley's young side with only the relative safety of the play-offs to now aim for. With only seven games left to play, winnable games are running out fast, but tomorrow night, given that Galway United will be without both their centre halves, represents a real opportunity to record their fourth away win of the season.

Goals haven't come easy for Bray on their travels, though, with only nine to their name, but they are the only team in the League to have won at both Dalymount and Tallaght this season. A clean sheet will be needed against a team they have struggled against in the recent past, and their cause isn't helped by the unavailability of Derek Foran (suspended), while injury concerns remain over Gary McCabe, Chris Deans (both ankle), and Gary Cronin (thigh).

Gormley was disappointed to lose by the only goal of the game at home to St. Pat's on Monday night, and realises that only wins will aid their cause from here on in: "We worked hard in training this week to come up with a few new ideas, to go there and win, as draws are not much use now", Gormley stated. "It will be difficult, they are very good at home and will be keen to get back to winning ways after last Friday."

Last Friday was a chastening experience for Galway United manager Ian Foster as his side were fortunate to only come away from Oriel Park with only a 3-0 loss to their name. Foster was livid with the lack of application from his squad, a complaint which has only been sounded on a few occasions this year. The Liverpudlian seldom criticises his players skill levels or individual mistakes, but he demands a high workrate and has been consistent in his displeasure when it has not been apparent.

"I was disappointed with the manner of the defeat more than the defeat", Foster said. "I don't like losing, but I will take it if we work hard and make life difficult for the opposition, but we didn't do it, particularly in the second half."

A positive response will be desired but, with a new centre half partnership likely to be made up of Seamus Conneely and Sean Kelly, defensive solidity is not assured. Not that the duo aren't capable defenders, but to be asked to form a partnership in a crucial contest such as this will be a testing environment for them.

Galway United have won two of the three league encounter to date. Late drama unfolded in both games at the Carlisle Grounds as Gary McCabe scored and then saw his second penalty saved in the space of three minutes as the sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in March. Jay O'Shea then marked his final game in a Galway shirt with a clinical last minute winner at the end of July, while in May Galway had cruised to a 3-0 home win courtesy of O'Shea, Cian McBrien, and Jason Molloy.

extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 home win.