League Preview: Longford Town v Bray Wanderers

LONGFORD TOWN

Following a nil-all draw on Friday evening away to UCD, promotion chasing Longford Town welcome Bray Wanderers to Bishopsgate on Monday evening (kick-off is at 7.30pm).

Daire Doyle’s charges struggled for large parts of their clash against the Students, although they will perhaps feel unfortunate not to have taken all three points from the game.

Sam Verdon, Rob Manley and Dylan Grimes all went close for the Red and Black but they could not find a breakthrough.

Their home game against Bray – which has been rescheduled following an earlier season postponement – takes on added importance after Cabinteely’s win on Friday evening.

Should Longford be defeated, they will remain five points behind Pat Devlin’s side after just four games.

However, De Town will take solace from the fact that they have yet to concede a goal in the year’s First Division.

In addition, they do possess the attacking threat to pose a real problem to the Seagulls with the likes of Manley, James English, Lido Lotefa and Dylan Grimes.

In terms of team news for Longford, they will be without the services of Dean Byrne once again who is nearing a return to full training.

In addition, Thomas McLaughlin is also ruled out of action with injury.

BRAY WANDERERS

Similarly, to Longford, Bray Wanderers head into their second game of the restart after picking up a scoreless draw at home to Cobh Ramblers on Friday evening.

The Seagulls rarely troubled Paul Hunt in the Ramblers goal throughout the ninety minutes – but they did have a good opportunity to open the scoring early on through Joe Doyle.

Doyle got his head on a corner-kick routine, but he could only see his headed effort crash off the bar.

The game saw manager Gary Cronin hand out a full first-team debut to former Wolves winger Callum Thompson.

In addition, recent recruit Sean McEvoy also appeared off the bench for Bray as Brian Maher also made his first start as a permanent signing.

In terms of team news for Bray, they are unlikely to head into Monday’s trip to Longford with any major selection headaches.  

However, they have yet to issue team news ahead of the trip to Bishopsgate – a ground where they won one and lost one last season.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have only won once in their previous five league games against Bray Wanderers, with their most recent success over Gary Cronin’s side in March 2019.

Seagulls boss Gary Cronin – former Longford assistant manager – took caretaker charge of the Red and Black in June 2017 following the dismissal of then Longford boss Alan Mathews.

Longford Town’s last defeat in the First came against Monday evening’s opponents Bray Wanderers.

BETTING

Longford Town 17/20; Draw 23/10; Bray Wanderers 9/2.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 1 - 0 Bray Wanderers

Longford Town

Injured: Dean Byrne, Thomas McLaughlin.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.