League Preview: Treaty United -v- Bray Wanderers

Treaty United will take on the challenge of promotion favourites Bray Wanderers in a vital clash in the SSE Airtricity First Division at the Market’s Field on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

TREATY UNITED

Tommy Barrett’s side will be looking to make a rapid piece of bouncebackability when they welcome the Seagulls to Garryowen tomorrow night. A win for the Shannonsiders would seem them leapfrog their opponents in the table and enable them to maintain pace with the chasing pack behind leaders Shelbourne.

Treaty United found themselves on the wrong side of a three goal game when they went down 2-1 at the hands of Cabinteely at Stradbrook last Friday evening. The match was evenly poised and looked to be going in at 0-0 at the halftime interval only for the game to suddenly explode into life.

Marty Waters put the home side ahead right on the stroke of halftime and swing the momentum in favour of the South Dublin team only for Treaty United to quickly draw level just three minutes into the second half when Sean McSweeney struck.

However, the Shannonsiders joy was short lived as just two minutes later Cabo regained the lead thanks to Vilius Labutis and despite a valiant effort by Tommy Barrett’s they were unable to find an equaliser and came away from the capital empty handed.

The defeat was only Treaty’s second in the league this season having previously lost 3-2 to second place UCD at the Belfield Bowl. The side from the Mid-West have won three games so far against Wexford (1-0), Cork City (2-1) and Athlone Town (1-0) and drawn 4 matches against Bray Wanderers (0-0), Cobh Ramblers (1-1), Galway United (1-1) and Shelbourne (2-2).

BRAY WANDERERS

The Seagulls make the long journey west of the Shannon in search of a second successive away win in order to keep their promotion hopes alive.

The men from the Garden of Ireland fought off a gallant display by Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park last Friday evening and eked out a precious 1-0 win.

The match was evenly poised and both sides went at it hammer and tongs but it was Bray who took the lead in the 43^rd minute with a goal from Joe Doyle. The home side tried desperately to get back into the match in the second half but found their efforts were in vain as Gary Cronin’s side hung on to claim maximum points.

This was an important victory for Bray Wanderers allowing them to keep in touch with the promotion chasers and it was their third straight league win of the season having beaten Galway United 2-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park and Cabinteely 3-0 at the Carlisle Grounds. The win against Wexford extended the Seagulls unbeaten run to five matches in the league.

Referee: Oliver Moran

MATCH FACTS

Treaty United and Bray Wanderers have already met once this season in the league on the opening weekend when the sides played out an uneventful 0-0 draw at the Carlisle Grounds.

The Treatymen and the Seagulls have never met on any other previous occasion before this season.

Treaty United are currently in 7^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 13 points with 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats from their 9 matches.

Bray Wanderers are currently in 5^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 14 points with 3 wins, 5 draws and one defeat from their 9 matches.

BETTING

Treaty United 11/4 Draw 5/2 Bray Wanderers 4/5

PREDICTION

Treaty United 1-1 Bray Wanderers

Treaty United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.