Bray Wanderers -v- Sligo Rovers

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, Apr 08 2010


Bray Wanderers will be looking to secure their first win of the Airtricity League season when they take on Paul Cook's Sligo Rovers visit the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). Sligo Rovers have only one win from six themselves, but are still unbeaten this season after five draws, and currently lie fifth in the table.

Nonetheless, Cook will be looking to pick up a win after a run of three straight draws, and this match represents an excellent opportunity to do just that. The Seagulls have just one point from a possible 15, and will be hoping to build on their draw away to Drogheda United last Monday. This will be a tough game for Eddie Gormley's side though, as Bit O' Red are proving to be an extremely hard team to break down this year.

They will have to make do without the services of midfielders Chris Shields and David Tyrrell, with the former serving a one-match suspension carried over from last season, while Tyrrell misses out with an ankle injury. Both of these men will be missed by the Wicklow side, but other than that, Gormley has a fully-fit squad to pick from.

Speaking during the week, Gormley was extremely disappointed not to have taken three points from the game in United Park, and strongly questioned some of the decisions that the officials made during the tie.

“A couple of refereeing decisions went against us. I have looked at them again on DVD, and could find nothing wrong with either goal that was disallowed. Richie Baker certainly wasn't offside when he scored and Colm Tresson never touched their player when he scored. So I'm disappointed in that regard", Gormley added.

Looking ahead to the Sligo game, Gormley expects a tough game from The Westerners and is well aware that they will need to be at their very best if they are to get something out of the match.

"We will need to be at our best to get something from Friday night's game against Sligo".

Sligo have a relatively full hand to pick from, but do have slight concerns over the fitness of Iarfhlaith Davoren and Paul Whelan. Should both men fail to make the trip to Bray, then Alan Keane will continue to deputise at left-back. However, the issue of Joseph Ndo's proposed transfer to The Showgrounds still remains unresolved as of Thursday morning, though it may come through in time for him to line out against The Seagulls.

Should he make it in time for this game, then he will add handsomely to an already impressive attack alongside Matthew Blinkhorn and Padraig Amond. The likes of Mauro Almeida, Richie Ryan and Eoin Doyle are also big players for Sligo, and Bray will need big performances from the more experienced members of their side if they are to curtail the various influences from the away side.

Veteran Colm Tresson made his 350th appearance for the club last Monday, and is expected to take his place in defence once again for Bray. Richie Baker and Robbie Doyle will need to be at their best too, as they are more than capable of causing Sligo problems in the final-third.

Sligo have acquitted themselves well defensively so far this season though, and they may have just enough creative forces in their starting XI to get the better of the Premier Division's bottom side.

Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Referee: D. McKeon.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray 10/3, Sligo Rovers 5/6, Draw 9/4.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: David Tyrrell.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Chris Shields.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Iarfhlaith Davoren, Paul Whelan.
Suspended: None.

Extratime prediction: Bray Wanderers 0-1 Sligo Rovers.