19.45 17 Aug 2015 -
Referee: Robert Rogers
League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Bohemians
- Aaron Gallagher
- Mon, Aug 17 2015
BRAY WANDERERS
What goes up must come back down to earth has been the harsh lesson for Bray Wanderers following their unfortunate 1-0 loss at the hands of St. Patrick's Athletic on Friday night.
The fixture pitted the two form sides of the Premier Division against one another as the visitors to Richmond Park came armed with their streak of five 1-0 wins in six games to put an end to St. Pats's own eight game league winning streak.
But after the highs of 15 from a possible 18 points in the last month and a half Bray have unfortunately come back down to the harsh reality of the league's top three, as sandwiched between the Seasiders run of form have been losses against champions Dundalk, second-placed Cork City and third-placed St. Pats.
And it is for this that Monday night's game against fifth-placed Bohemians will truly gauge how far Bray have come from their early to mid-season crisis, and how far they are yet to come before the season is out.
The two sides will certainly be sizing each other out for more important matters as the teams meet again on Friday night in the FAI Cup.
If the maths is anything to go by more will ride on Friday night's game at Dalymount with a gap of fourteen points separating the sides in fifth and sixth spot, and two separating the Seagulls from Longford Town in seventh, with Mick Cooke's side aided with a game in hand.
BOHEMIANS
Friday's 3-0 drumming of Galway United served to calm the heightened nerves surrounding Keith Long's side as a goal from Ismahil Akindade, added to Jake Kelly's double, put the Gypsies back on track following a dismal run of form in previous weeks.
Bohs had not looked as reassured in Friday night's game before kick-off as a record of five losses in their previous eight games preceded the result that now sees them claim 40 points from their 24 Premier Division games to date.
Losses to St. Pats, Drogheda, Longford Town, Cork City and most worryingly Limerick had seen the wheels slip ever so slightly off the once reliable axis at Dalymount. However reflecting on Friday's display against the Westerners, manager Keith Long insisted that his players knew where their faults lied.
“The players recognise where we have to improve. We’ve got to get back to being difficult to beat. The last couple of games we’ve been very open to play against, and that’s something we’ll try to solve.”
His side's 3-0 win against Tommy Dunne's side was Bohemians's twelfth from their 24 Premier Division games, with the form of new signing Jake Kelly no doubt playing an intricate part to the success with four goals coming in the forward's last two games.
Monday night's showdown at the Carlisle Grounds could have added a new narrative of a run-in for fifth spot enveloping both Bohemians and Bray, but with Friday's results that saw Bray lose out 1-0 to St. Patrick's Athletic there now exists a fourteen point gap between the sides in fifth and sixth spot respectively.
With this away tie in mind Bohemians manager Keith Long insisted that scoring three goals away should have been enough to see his side past most teams, nevermind bottom-placed Limerick.
“Scoring three goals away should be good enough to win any game on the road”, he told bohemianfc.com
The two sides will certainly be sizing each other up for more important matters as the teams meet again on Friday night in the FAI Cup.
If the maths is anything to go by more will certainly ride on Friday night's game at Dalymount with a gap of fourteen points separating the sides in fifth and sixth spot, and six separating the Gypsies from rivals Shamrock Rovers in fourth, with Pat Felon's side aided with two games in hand meaning midtable finishes is the best both sides can aim for.
Referee: Robert Rogers
MATCH STATS
Bray have conceded only three goals in their last ten Premier Division games.
Combined, Bohemians duo Jake Kelly and Ismahil Akinade have scored seven goals in their last four games.
Bohemians have kept only two clean sheets in their last 10 Premier Division games, compared to their seven clean sheets in their opening nine games at the start of the season.
Bray's last nine competitive fixtures have all ended 1-0.
BETTING
Bray 13/5 Draw 23/10; Bohemians 15/13.
PREDICTION
Bray 2-1 Bohemians.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bohemians
Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: None.
About Aaron Gallagher
Aaron is a Dublin-based freelance writer currently studying journalism at Dublin City University. You can follow more of his work on Twitter @AaronGallagher8