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Bohemians -v- Bray Wanderers
- P.J. Murray
- Fri, Sep 17 2010
Pat Fenlon has a chance to increase the upsurge in Bohemians form as his side host a resurgent Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup quarter final on Friday night. (Kick off 7.45pm)
The Gypsies win over Drogheda coupled with Rovers loss to Dundalk has cut the gap to four points and instilled a belief in the Phibsboro side that they can retain their league title.
Bray on the other hand are riding on the crest of a wave as after being down by 11 points at one stage they now lead Drogheda by the slenderest of margins and are for the first time off the bottom of the table.
Fenlon’s side are currently unbeaten at home in four games while Bray have racked up back to back wins in their league campaign.
The sides have met three times this season with Bohemians cruising to successive wins and have yet to concede a goal, and before Bray’s Lazarus like rise another easy win would be expected but with Jake Kelly firing on all cylinders Bray may finally hit the net against the Champions.
However the overall FAI cup record between the sides mimic’s this seasons league record with very one sided viewing. Bray have played Bohemians on six occasions in the F.A.I. Cup and have yet to win a tie,they have managed just one draw in those six games. Bray have conceded 14 goals and scored just 3 in those games.
Fenlon expects that all of his squad, except long-term injuries Steven Gray and Anto Murphy (both Achilles), will be available. Ken Oman, Paul Keegan and Mark Rossiter, who have not featured in the most recent games, appeared for the A-side on Wednesday. Aaron Greene made his claims for recall to the senior side with a hat-trick in a 4-0 defeat of Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Speaking ahead of the match Seagulls manager Pat Devlin said “It’s a big game it will be tough, we have never beaten Bohemians in the Cup, it’s a break from the League but I suppose Bohemians would rather win the League than the Cup. We will approach the game in a positive manner and with a bit of confidence, it will be a tall order but we will be giving it our best shot”
Pat Fenlon has said that they must make their home advantage count. “Two teams in good form will be facing each other. I’m very happy with how we have been playing. But Bray have been very good since Pat [Devlin] came in.
“We have the home draw and it is important for us to try to win the game at home. But we know it’s not going to be easy.”
Bohemians
Injured: Steven Gray, Anto Murphy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Referee: N. Doyle
Extratime.ie prediction: Bohemians to progress 2-1
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.