Bray Wanderers -v- Sligo Rovers

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, Aug 05 2010


Sligo Rovers will look to put some added pressure on those teams at the top of the Airtricity Premier League table when they take on bottom-side Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Though they may not be properly regarded as title challengers at the moment (it is seen by most to be a three-horse race between Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and St. Patrick's Athletic), Paul Cook's side may have a big say in events nevertheless, and a win here could have a major bearing on events in the final few weeks of the season.

Bit O'Red will head into this game without the services of goalkeeper Richard Brush, whose hand injury is set to keep him out for the rest of the season. John Gibson is expected to once again deputise for him though, and he will possibly be joined in the side by Romauld Boco, who has re-joined the club for a second spell.

He may well be in the frame to replace the suspended Gavin Peers (who lined out for Damien Richardson's Airtricity XI against Man Utd on Wednesday), though Derek Foran is another option. Mauro Almeida is still absent though, and it may be a while before his Achilles injury is properly cleared up.

Similarly to Paul Cook, Eddie Gormley is also able to bring some fresh blood into his side in the shape of Gary Dempsey (who also had a previous spell with his new employers), who has been signed up by the Wicklow men after a successful trial. The Wexford-native is all set to make his debut against fourth-placed Sligo Rovers, provided he is given international clearance by the time kick-off arrives.

Bray have another recent recruit in Graham Kelly, but he will miss out on this clash owing to a hamstring injury picked up in the win over Drogheda United last Friday. He joins Richie Baker (back) and David Tyrrell (ankle) on the injury list, while Adam Mitchell may also miss out having also hurt his hamstring against Drogheda.

Speaking to braywanderers.ie ahead of the game, Seagulls boss Eddie Gormley stated that he was delighted with his side's performance against Drogheda, but was very disappointed with the manner of their defeat to Shelbourne in the Leinster Senior League Final last Monday afternoon.

“We had a very good win in Drogheda on Friday, but I was very disappointed with the performance and the result on Monday. We had to make five or six changes with injuries and players being Cup-tied for the game”, Gormley remarked.

“A couple of players had the opportunity to get back in the team but they didn't take that opportunity. We will have four or five back for the Sligo game and hopefully we will have Gary Dempsey available. I'll be looking for a massive improvement in performance and attitude, and I have no doubt that will happen”.

In their two encounters so far this season, Sligo Rovers have come out on top, with a 3-2 win at the Carlisle Grounds in April being followed by a comprehensive 5-1 victory in The Showgrounds in May. This kind of form would suggest that Sligo would be firm favourites for this game, but it should be pointed out that Bray have only lost 2 out of their last 12 competitive games against Sligo at home, so a draw or a surprise win for Bray should not be ruled out.

However, with the likes of Joseph Ndo and the in-form Padraig Amond in their side, it is hard to see anything other than a win for Sligo from this encounter, though it may well be a close-run affair, especially if Dempsey is able to line out for the home side.

Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.
Referee: A. Buttimer.
Paddypower.com odds: Bray Wanderers 9/2, Sligo Rovers 8/13, Draw 5/2.

BRAY WANDERERS
Injured: Graham Kelly, Richie Baker, David Tyrrell.
Doubtful: Adam Mitchell.
Suspended: None.

SLIGO ROVERS
Injured: Richard Brush, Mauro Almeida.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gavin Peers.

Extratime.ie prediction: Bray Wanderers 0-2 Sligo Rovers.