Bray Wanderers -v- Derry City

• Niall Farrell
• Thu, Jul 14 2011


Derry City will look to build on their win over Shamrock Rovers last week with a win in the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night when they take on Bray Wanderers in the Airtricity Premier Division. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

The Candystripes delivered a blow to Rovers' hopes of retaining the Premier Division title with a narrow win last week in the Brandywell, simultaneously boosting their own title-winning credentials. Derry haven't lost in seven matches but the last time these sides met, in May, Bray came away from the Brandywell with a point after a 1-1 draw.

But Bray are also coming into this match off the back of an important win. Last week's 2-1 defeat of UCD was the first in four matches for the Seagulls, who have slumped to mid-table after a flying start to the season. Bray's task is made all the more difficult by the absence of their player of the season so far. 

Gary Dempsey misses the match through suspension, after picking up four yellow cards. Pat Devlin can welcome Danny O'Connor and Dane Massey back into his team though, with the pair returning from the suspensions which saw them miss the UCD match.

There are no new injury concerns for Bray, but long-term absentees Stephen Brennan, Darren Quigley and Gary Shaw are still all missing. One player who could make one of his last appearances for Derry is James McClean who has been the subject of a further bid from English side Peterborough United.

Ahead of the match, Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin spoke during the week, saying that: "the two games between us so far this season have been very close. They shaded it in Bray and while we took a point away from the Brandywell we should really have had all three. Lets hope it’s third time lucky for us on Friday night but it won't be easy".

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Stephen Brennan, Gary Shaw, Darren Quigley.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gary Dempsey.

Derry City
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Dave McKeon.
Paddy Power Odds: Bray 4/1; Draw 5/2; Derry 4/6.
Extratime prediction: Derry to win 2-0.