Bohemians -v- Bray Wanderers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Oct 01 2010


Bray Wanderer’s remarkable turnaround in form will be given it’s sternest test yet when they travel to Dalymount Park on Friday night to face a Bohemians side that have not yet given up hope of winning their third successive League title. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

Bohemians have won all four of their clashes with Bray so far this season and in doing so have yet to concede a goal. The latest meeting of the sides resulted in an emphatic 3-0 win for the Gypsies in the quarter finals of the FAI Cup but Pat Fenlon insists that things will be different this time around.

He expects Friday’s meeting to be a “much tougher game". The Bohs boss added, "We played very well on that night [in the cup match] but Bray are scrapping for every point and they have been on a great run. And we have to win our next three games to stay in the hunt."

Fenlon is right on both counts. Since Pat Devlin took up the reins at the Carlisle Grounds Bray have entirely reinvented themselves. In a five game run that has brought three wins and two draws the Seagulls have banged in twelve goals, conceding only four. The result has been an unexpected burst away from the foot of the table. Previously considered a shoe in for last place and automatic relegation, they are now five points clear of Drogheda United and they even have an outside chance of avoiding the play-offs.

Bohemians, currently lying in second place six points behind Shamrock Rovers, have it all to do if they are to overtake the Hoops and grab their third league title in a row. They simply can’t afford to slip up against Bray.

Both sides are missing key players. Bray will be without winger Jake Kelly and the tireless John Mulroy while striker Shane O’Neill is also a doubt. Bohemians have Killian Brennan and Conor Powell suspended while both Gareth McGlynn and Glen Cronin are considered extremely doubtful, though defender Jason McGuinness returns.

In the normal scheme of things Bohemians greater experience and strength in depth would be considered enough to give them the edge but with end of season adrenaline flowing freely this becomes a very hard game to call. Bohemians desire to win another title meets Bray’s furious determination to avoid the drop and whoever wins will take a huge step towards attaining their goal.

Bohemians
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Gareth McGlynn, Glen Cronin.
Suspended: Killian Brennan, Conor Powell.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Jake Kelly, John Mulroy, Stephen Brennan.
Doubtful: Shane O’Neill.
Suspended: Shane O’Connor.

Referee: P Sutton.

Extratime prediction:A 2-2 draw.