League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bray Wanderers

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Apr 06 2018




ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

St Patrick's Athletic put in their 'best performance of the season' in Derry last week but left pointless, something they'll look to rectify when they host Bray Wanderers on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

Liam Buckley's side had plenty of chances to become the first team to leave the redeveloped Brandywell with points but were left to rue their wastefulness.

Spectacular goals in either half from Aaron McEneff were enough to see the Candystripes to victory despite Dean Clarke pulling one back late on.

"We weren't happy with the result on Friday,” Buckley told the club's official website.

"We put in our best performance of the season and came away with no points. We created a number of chances in both halves and just needed to be that little bit more clinical in front of goal.

“One or two decisions did not go our way, but over a season you just have to hope those things even themselves out.

"We cannot dwell on the negatives, and instead have to look to repeat the things that went well and apply them in this game against Bray on Friday.

“Bray have been really unlucky in a few games this year, and really pushed us hard earlier in the season. We know we will have to perform well if we are to get anything from the game."

Buckley has a full squad to choose from as he has a clean injury and disciplinary list.

 

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray battled hard at home to Cork City last Friday night but ultimately fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of the league champions.

An early goal from Sean O'Loughlin set Cork on their way but Bray remained in the game until the final quarter, when Barry McNamee and Kieran Sadlier (2) scored three times in four minutes.

It was Bray's seventh successive defeat in the league – eighth overall – and the result leaves Dave Mackey's side with just one point from eight games.

Defeats for Sligo Rovers, Limerick and Bohemians mean the Seagulls didn't lose any more ground on the teams ahead of them, but they remain seven points from safety.

Bray failed to provide any team news, however Kevin Lynch remains a doubt after missing the Cork game with a foot injury.

 

Referee: Ray Matthews

 

MATCH STATS

These two sides met five times during what turned out to be an eventful 2017 season for both clubs.

The first meeting, at the Carlisle Grounds in the Leinster Senior Cup, the Saints romped to a 4-0 win with Christy Fagan netting twice.

Bray got their revenge on the opening day of the league season with a 2-1 win at Richmond Park. The return game at the Carlisle was drawn 1-1 before Pats won 3-1 back at Richer.

The two also met in the EA Sports Cup second round at Richmond Park, where defending champions Pats won 5-3 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

 

BETTING

St Patrick's Athletic 2/9; Draw 9/2; Bray Wanderers 10/1.

PREDICTION

St Patrick's Athletic 2 – 0 Bray Wanderers

 

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Kevin Lynch.

Suspended: None.