Drogheda United -v- Bray Wanderers

• Emmet Maloney
• Mon, May 30 2011


Fresh from their first victory of an otherwise dismal season, Drogheda host Bray hoping that their first three points this term will be the start of a run. In recent seasons this would have been another relegation six pointer but The Seagulls are experiencing a fine season and sit just three points off of the top spot in the league.

Drogs hoping it’s just the start
Drogheda have had a woeful season to date but claimed a 2-1 win at Terryland Park on Thursday night to climb off of the bottom slot on goal difference and leave Galway sitting there. They will be hoping that the uplift in confidence that comes from their first win will see them pick up another three points and move closer to their next target in the league UCD.

Mick Cooke spoke to the club website about the game. “The win on Thursday night was a big boost for us, especially in the manner which we did it, going a goal down the players showed a lot of character to get back into it and to be honest I thought we could have gotten three or four. The lads deserved those three points, they have been working hard and maybe a bit unfairly a lot of people have been talking about how we haven't been getting results but no one can question their work ethic.

Well obviously it's going to be a tough game, playing again so quickly but we had training this morning and everyone is up for it. Bray are a very good side and they will be difficult to beat, but we will certainly be going into the game with confidence.”

Drogheda will welcome Brian Gannon back into their squad after he missed the trip to the west.

Bray look to push on
Bray are having a great season by their recent standards and will be looking to make the Drogs miserable season even worse. They have suffered just a single reverse on the road this term but have drawn three of their last four and are not scoring freely at the moment. However in recent seasons they have generally enjoyed their trips to Drogheda and will fancy getting a positive result again. Bray will have a host of players out of the match but will be glad to welcome back Dave Webster and Shane O'Neill who have missed Bray's last two outings.

Pat Devlin has had a superb impact since taking over the reins last season and gave his thoughts on the match to the club website "It was a good overall performance by everybody concerned on Thursday and we will need a similar performance on Monday night". Devlin added "No side has a divine right to win matches and Drogheda will be buoyed by their excellent win over Galway on Thursday night and there will be no complacency on our part".

The Seagulls will be handicapped by a long injury list as detailed below and this may even up the game somewhat.

Venue: Hunky Dorys Park

Referee:Anthony Buttimer

Paddypower.com Odds: Drogheda: 16/5 Draw: 23/10 Bray: 5/6

Drogheda United
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Jake Kelly, Darren Quigley (elbow), Gary Shaw (foot), Stephen Brennan (calf)
Doubtful: Gary Dempsey, Chris Shields, John Mulroy
Suspended: None
Absent: Conor Murphy

Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1 draw.