Bohemians -v- Bray Wanderers

• Sam Griffin
• Fri, Sep 02 2011


Fifth placed Bohemians host struggling Bray Wanderers in Dalymount Park on Saturday night (Kick off 7.00). Pat Devlin’s men have only won two of their last eleven league games and come up against a Bohemians side full of confidence, and still on a high from back-to-back cup wins.

There was double success for Pat Fenlon’s side in the past seven days. First, his charges overcame Longford Town 3-1 last Friday before defeating local rivals Shelbourne 2-0 to book their place in the Leinster Senior Cup final thanks to very late goals from Chris Fagan and Chris Forrester.

Whiles those results will give Bohs plenty of confidence, the players won’t need reminding how important this final stage of games is for the club. The Phibsborough side begin a run of four games against clubs positioned lower than them in the league and with only six points behind fourth placed St. Pats – and a game in hand – Pat Fenlon will no doubt be eyeing up a European place come the end of the league campaign.

In further good news, the club’s injury concerns are subsiding. Stephen Traynor came off the bench in Monday’s victory over Shels after a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury. Robert Bayly could also feature having recovered from a similar problem. Liam Burns and Chris Fagan miss out through suspension.

For Bray, this is another must win game if they are to salvage anything from this season. With 19 points breathing space between them and UCD in eight position, it’s time the Wicklow club focused all its energy on overtaking Dudalk who lie two point ahead – and maybe even tomorrow night’s opponents who are four ahead.

It’s hard to see this happening however. Their poor recent form was compounded with last weekend’s hammering at home to First Division side Limerick. And their task tomorrow is made all the harder by the fact that they are still without their captain and playmaker Gary Dempsey.

Speaking during the week, Pat Devlin said he expects he charges to bounce back from their cup shellacking. “We are in the last phase of games now and we want to bounce straight back”, he said. “They are a great bunch of lads they have been great all season. They have only dropped their heads on two occasions - last week and against Dundalk. I have no doubt they will bounce straight back".

Bohemians
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Robert Bayly.
Suspended: Liam Burns and Christy Fagan.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Gary Dempsey (back).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Adam Mitchell, Danny O’Connor and Stephen Last.

Referee: Padraig Sutton.
PaddyPower betting odds: Bohemians 4/6; Draw 23/10; Bray 9/2.
ExtraTime Match Predicition: Both sides to a continue their contrasting recent form with a 2-0 home win.