St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Bray Wanderers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Mar 10 2011


St Patrick’s Athletic will be looking to replicate the positive start they had in 2010 as they seek a second consecutive league win against Bray Wanderers, who opened their campaign with a defeat to Bohemians last weekend, at Richmond Park on Friday night. (Kick off 7.45 pm)

Pete Mahon’s men began the new season with a healthy 3-0 over Galway United last weekend which will have helped to calm fears that the club are somewhat lacking in firepower this season. But no-one at Richmond Park will be overly complacent about a result that was achieved against a side who suffered a hellish build up to their league campaign.

Pat’s will welcome the availability of Danny North and Stephen Bradley, both of whom were suspended last weekend, for the game against a Bray Wanderers side that have continuity of personnel on their side and who would still be hopeful of carrying their end of season form from 2010 into the new season.

Bray suffered a 3-1 reverse against Bohemians last Friday and will be disappointed to have surrendered three home points to a team that had a traumatic pre-season. Pat Devlin will be mindful of the losing habit his side developed last year when they lost seven of their opening eight league games and age and inexperience are unlikely to be tolerated as excuses for a similar run of form this season.

Pats won three of the four league meetings between these clubs in 2010 but this statistic is less relevant than the fact that St Pats have put in three positive performances so far while Bray have simply conceded too many goals, both in friendly and league outings.

Expect Bray to be more resolute at Richmond Park on Friday but a first win of the season would probably depend upon their hosts’ attacking department running aground.

St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Paul Crowley.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Stephen Brennan (calf).
Doubtful: Gary Shaw (ankle), Jake Kelly (infection).
Suspended: None.

Referee: Unknown.

Paddy Power Odds: St Pats 4/11 - Draw 10/3 - Bray 15/2.

Extratime prediction: A 1-0 win for St Pats.