League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Bray Wanderers

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Mar 31 2016




WEXFORD YOUTHS

Shane Keegan will be hoping his Wexford Youths side can pick up their first win of the Premier Division season on Friday night when Bray Wanderers visit Ferrycarrig Park.

 

The Youths have been on the end of some unlucky defeats in the early weeks of the season, losing 2-1 at home to both Derry City and Dundalk, while Keegan’s men were also thought to be unlucky in 2-0 defeats to Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers.

 

"With five games gone we could have been looking at a scenario whereby we'd been hammered in four games but picked up a lucky win in one game and we’re sitting in 9th place and the table might look a bit better,” Youths boss Shane Keegan said.

 

“But I wouldn't swap that for where we are. We've shown in every game so far that we are more than a match for the opposition. The performances could and probably should have us sitting on seven points.

 

“But we're learning some really hard lessons and we have to grow up as a team fast,” the Youths manager admitted.

 

“We're more frustrated than you are, believe me, but we also know that we're just a fortunate bounce of a ball away from things turning for us and we're gonna work harder than ever to make that happen tonight," Keegan concluded.

 

Midfielder Jonny Bonner is added to the injury list after picking up an eye injury in training, Shane Dunne is making progress in his quest for fitness, however it is not yet known whether he’ll be ready to feature on Friday night.

 

Peter Higgins and Aidan Keenan will also miss the game, as the duo continue to recover from their respective injury problems.

 

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Mick Cooke will be hoping that his Bray side can continue to build momentum following consecutive wins over UCD and Sligo Rovers last week.

 

Goals from Mark Salmon and Andrew Lewis helped the Seagulls to the second round of the EA Sports Cup following a 2-0 win at the UCD Bowl last Tuesday.

 

Cooke’s men carried the same form into Saturday night’s visit of Sligo Rovers where a brace from Ryan Brennan along with goals from Karl Moore and Andrew Lewis gave the Wicklow outfit their first three points of the 2016 season.

 

It’s not yet known whether or not Mick Cooke will have to consider injury problems ahead of his team selection tomorrow night. However, it has been confirmed that Bray will not be without any players through suspension for tomorrow night’s fixture.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

 

 

MATCH STATS

Wexford Youths are yet to register a first half goal at Ferrycarrig Park in the league this season.

 

Both teams have already conceded 11 league goals this season. No other team have conceded more.

 

Believe it or not, Bray Wanderers’ last away league win came in a 1-0 defeat of Galway United last July.

 

 

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/8; Draw 12/5; Bray Wanderers 9/5.

 

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1-1 Bray Wanderers

 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Jonny Bonner, Aidan Keenan, Peter Higgins.

Doubtful: Shane Dunne.

Suspended: None.

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.