Drogheda United -v- Bray Wanderers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Jul 29 2010


The bottom two sides in the Airtricity Premier Division meet at Hunky Dorys Park on Friday night as Drogheda United host Bray Wanderers but despite Bray’s recent advance to the Leinster Senior Cup Final the odds will be stacked in favour of the home team. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

It is a game that Bray must win if they are to have any real hope of avoiding automatic relegation come the end of the season but despite losing only once against Drogheda in their last five outings the form book looks set against them once again.

Bray have only succeeded in claiming two draws from their last eight league games during which time they have conceded twenty goals and scored just three. Bohemians, Sporting Fingal and St Pats have all recorded 3-0 wins against the Seagulls while UCD managed four and Sligo Rovers knocked in five.

This is a record that stands in stark contrast to a Drogheda United side who have turned things around somewhat in the eight games since they parted ways with manager Alan Mathews. In that period they have beaten St Pats, UCD and Sporting Fingal while earning draws against Shamrock Rovers and Bray.

Beyond the cold, hard stats Bray have offered some promising signs of late with new signings Adam Mitchell, Derek Prendergast and Graham Kelly all performing well in recent games and the form of Shane O’Neill up front has given Bray supporters something to smile about.

Drogheda United have added to their squad also having signed young promising Keeper Robert Duggan from Shamrock Rovers. The 23 year old will go straight into the squad on Friday night as is expected to start.

Drogheda manager Brian Donnelly will be without the services of Jamie Harris and Brendan McGill and Darragh McNamara. Eoghan Osborne and Darren Brennan both come back into the squad after being suspended last week.

However, Eddie Gormley will once again be without long term injury victims Richie Baker, Derek Tyrell and Stephen Brennan.



Drogheda United
Injured: Jamie Harris, Brendan McGill, Darragh McNammara
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Richie Baker, Derek Tyrell, Stephen Brennan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: N.Doyle

Extratime prediction: Drogheda to win 2-1