Bray Wanderers -v- Sporting Fingal

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, Mar 18 2010


Both sides will be looking for their first wins of the Airtrcity Premier Division season when Bray Wanderers welcome Liam Buckley's Sporting Fingal to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). The Seagulls are yet to pick up a point this season after narrow losses to Dundalk and Galway United, while Fingal secured their first-ever point in the top flight when drawing with Sligo Rovers, which followed an opening day defeat to reigning champions Bohemians.

Though this is only the third season that Fingal have been in existence, they do have some recent history with Bray Wanderers, as they played each other in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off at the end of the last season, as well as the 2009 FAI Cup Semi-Final, which Fingal won 4-2 in the Morton Stadium.

Of course, circumstances have since led to Bray's re-instatement back into the top tier, and they will be looking to make amends for their defeats to the Santry-based outfit in their previous encounters. They certainly have their work cut-out though, as they will be without the services of defender Dane Massey, who will be serving a one-match ban for this game. New recruit Richie Baker is also a doubt with a groin strain, and will have a late fitness test before a decision is made on his availability for this match.

On the plus side, Dave O'Neill and David Webster come back into the squad, and Bray boss Eddie Gormley is confident that his side can get back on track after what he described as a disappointing result against Galway in Terryland Park last Friday.

“Poor finishing proved our undoing again. I am confident going into Friday night and if the players equip themselves as they have done in the last two weeks we should get something out of the game. We will take the game to them and hopefully get off the mark”, Gormley remarked during the week.

Sporting Fingal will also fancy their chances of getting something out of this game though, with the likes of Shaun Maher, Ronan Finn and Glen Crowe more than capable of causing problems for The Seagulls. On the other hand, Bray also boast some decent players like John Mulroy, Jake Kelly, Shane O'Neill and Robbie Doyle, who can make an impact on a game if they are in the right mood.
On the injury front for Fingal, Liam Buckley has a relatively strong hand to choose from, but will have to make do without the services of Lorcan Fitzgerald once again, as he is still a few weeks shy of full fitness following his accidental collision with team-mate Kenny Browne in their defeat to Bohemians.

Given that Fingal have yet to secure their first win in the Premier Division, there may be a certain apprehension about their play as they go about their business. As is almost always the case, Bray will make it difficult for their opponents, and Fingal must be prepared to battle for their victory.
However, such is the talent at the disposal of Liam Buckley, that it would seem that the visitors are more likely to come away with the victory from this tie.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Richie Baker.
Suspended: Dane Massey.

Sporting Fingal
Injured: Lorcan Fitzgerald.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Venue: Carlisle Grounds, Bray.

Referee: T. Connolly.

Paddypower.com odds: Bray 9/2, Sporting Fingal 4/7, Draw 12/5.

Extratime.ie prediction: Bray Wanderers 1-2 Sporting Fingal.