Credit:
Sligo Rovers -v- Bray Wanderers
- Simon O'Gorman
- Mon, Oct 04 2010
Two of the Airtricity League’s form teams meet at the Showgrounds on Tuesday night as Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers meet in a Premier Division game that is certain to be entertaining and full of attacking football. (Kick-off, 7.45pm)
Both of these sides are enjoying a strong finish to this season’s league campaign although they are competing at opposite ends of the table. Sligo, after a slow start, have accelerated up the table on the back of an impressive run of performances. In their last eighteen league outings only the top two sides, Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, have beaten them and the ‘Bit o Red’ now look favourites to finish in third place and qualify for next season’s Europa League.
They have also enjoyed success in the Cups and last month’s victory over Monaghan United in the League Cup final brought Paul Cook his first trophy at the club. An FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians also awaits.
And despite the loss of top-scorer Padraig Amond to the Portuguese league Sligo have continued to find the back of the net with impressive regularity. A total of fifty two league goals is only equalled by Shamrock Rovers.
Sligo have a number of injury concerns in the lead up to this game with Romauld Boco joining long term absentees Mauro Almeida and ‘keeper Richard Brush on the sidelines. But it is Bray who will be most concerned about missing bodies. Jake Kelly, John Muroy and Stephen Brennan miss out once again as does defender Sean Houston. But most worryingly, goalkeeper Matt Gregg, a hero in Friday’s night’s draw at Dalymount Park, will require a late fitness test.
Regardless of a personnel shortage Bray will travel West full of confidence. The story of their ‘survival roadshow’ is a remarkable one. Seemingly dead and buried just a couple of months ago, Pat Devlin has come in and overseen a complete reversal in the Seagull’s fortunes.
Now unbeaten in their last six league games, last Friday’s 0-0 draw at Bohemians ended a run which saw them score twelve times in five matches. Although six points clear of bottom club Drogheda, Bray’s revival has come too late to avoid a relegation play-off, but there is not a team in the country that will under estimate Devlin’s side between now and the end of the season.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Romauld Boco, Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Jake Kelly, John Mulroy, Stephen Brennan, Sean Houston.
Doubtful: Matt Gregg.
Suspended: None.
Referee: D Tomney.
Extratime prediction: Tough One, home win, 2-1.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and …