Galway United 3 - 0 Bray Wanderers - PREVIEW | 2023 League of Ireland First Division | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football

- Eamonn Deacy Park
Referee:

League Preview: Galway United -v- Bray Wanderers

Andrew Dempsey
Fri, Jul 28 2023

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United boss John Caulfield has his eyes on extending the Tribesmen’s lead at the top of the table when they welcome Bray Wanderers to Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

United are coasting at the top of the pile and are on course to seal automatic promotion back to the Premier Division in a couple of months time.

But their boss Caulfield is wary that they can be caught, starting with tonight’s game against Bray.

United have also added former Cobh Ramblers keeper Sean Barron to their squad in recent days.

“We know that they’ve invested heavily this year to try and get promoted,” Caulfield said on Bray. “They took a couple of points off us earlier in the season and they also did the same with Waterford so we know their strengths.

“We are on a very good run of form at the moment, it’s our first home game in over a month in the league and we’re looking forward to a very big crowd and we know we need to play well.”

BRAY WANDERERS

“That’s the way it goes. It’s another big game to look forward to. They are the runaway leaders. It’s a good ground to go and play. There will be a big crowd. So, we’ll go there with a bit of confidence against last week’s win in the FAI Cup (over Cockhill Celtic).”

He continued “We’ll take confidence from the last time we played them (1-1 in June at the Carlisle Grounds). But we know how difficult it will be.”

Just 11 points separate all the teams between third and ninth. So, the race for the play-offs is really heating up.

“The performance is the main thing. I think when we perform, we can put it up to anyone in the Division. That what we’ll be looking to do. If we perform well, we’ve every chance of picking up some points” stated Ryan.

“It’s coming to the part of the season that’s very important. We’re in a position of where we want to be (in the play-offs) and maintain. I’m sure there will be lots of bumps between now and the end of the year.”

The central defensive pair of vice-captain Dane Massey and Jack Hudson are both suspended.

Referee: Oliver Moran

PREDICTION

Galway United 2-0 Bray Wanderers

Galway United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Jack Hudson, Dane Massey.