Bray Wanderers -v- Drogheda United

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, May 20 2010


The Carlisle Grounds play host to a crucial relegation clash on Friday evening when Bray Wanderers play host to Drogheda United (kick-off 7.45pm).

Both sides will desperately be seeking three points from this match and a win would especially boost the confidence of the Louth men in the wake of Alan Matthews' resignation, which followed their 6-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers in their most recent outing.

While the club searches for a permanent replacement for the former Shamrock Rovers star, current U-20 and 'A' Championship boss Darius Kierans will act as an interim manager. Kierans has been with the club for five years now, having previously guided the Under-17 side to a league and cup treble and double in successive seasons.

The importance of this fixture is not lost on Kierans who believes that this game is their most important one to date this term.

“Training last night was very positive and it’s all about getting the confidence back into the players because they have had a very difficult time, they have obviously underachieved and they aren’t playing as well as they can. In the early games of the season they were coming up against a lot of top teams and were just being unlucky in the results they were getting”, Kierans told Extratime.

He will however, have to make do without the services of injured trio Damien Brennan, Robbie Martin and Darragh McNamara, while Eoghan Osborne is considered to be a doubt for the trip to Bray. They will also be missing Gareth O'Connor through suspension, while Brian King has been left out owing to work commitments.

Eddie Gormley's men will also be missing a hatful of players for the game, with six players definitely missing out and another four extremely doubtful. Richie Baker (back), Stephen Brennan (hamstring), David Tyrrell (ankle), David O'Neill (groin) and Dean Zambra (knee) are all out injured, while Mark O'Brien is suspended.

Late fitness tests will help to determine whether Robbie Doyle (ankle), Jake Kelly (ankle), Chris Shields (ankle) and John Mulroy (calf) are available for this crucial encounter.

Bray Wanderers boss Gormley has revealed that he was disappointed to have lost out so heavily to UCD in their last league outing but is now completely focused on the task at hand against Drogheda.

“The two of us are going to be scrapping it out at the bottom and it's going to be tough and close. The players have worked hard in the week we had free and we are focused on getting a result on Friday night”, Gormley remarked.

A win for Bray would put them level on points with Drogheda while a victory for the Drogs would give them a six point cushion over the Wicklow men, which could be a good platform for a potential new boss. However with both sides missing a number of players through injury and suspension, coupled with the erratic form that they have both been showing of late, a score draw here would appear to be the safest bet.

Venue: Carlisle Grounds
Referee: P. Sutton.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray Wanderers 8/5, Draw 11/5, Drogheda United 7/5.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Richie Baker, Stephen Brennan, David Tyrrell, David O'Neill, Dean Zambra.
Doubtful: Robbie Doyle, Jake Kelly, John Mulroy, Chris Shields.
Suspended: Mark O'Brien.

Drogheda United
Injured: Damien Brennan, Robbie Martin, Darragh McNamara.
Doubtful: Eoghan Osborne.
Suspended: Gareth O'Connor.

Extratime Prediction: Bray Wanderers 1-1 Drogheda United.