19.45 23 May 2014 -
Referee:
League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Cork City
- Simon O'Gorman
- Thu, May 22 2014
BRAY WANDERERS
Bray have had an erratic few weeks with two wins, two draws and two defeats in their last six league games, but it has all been accompanied by a growing sense that Alan Mathews’ side are capable of giving anyone a game.
Recent wins against Dundalk and Limerick (both at home) have been balanced by defeats to Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers (both away) while the Seagulls earned themselves a point in their games against Derry City and Athlone Town. It all makes for a fairly unpredictable picture but Cork City will know they must be at their best on Friday night or risk being turned over.
If Bray fall down anywhere it is in attack. Thirteen league games have yielded just 12 goals and the Wicklow club have only scored more than once on two occasions in a league game. Indeed, they have netted just three times in their last six league outings, one of which was a penalty. At the other end, however, Bray have kept four clean sheets in those six games.
Dave Scully tops their goal-scoring charts with four, while striker Ismahil Akinade is yet to register a goal in 2014. That said, the addition of David Cassidy and the excellent form of Graham Kelly has given the engine room of central midfield a formidable air.
Jake Kelly and Shane O’Connor remain out through injury but Alan Mathews will have defenders Niall Cooney and Adam Mitchell available after the pair served suspensions last weekend for the away trip to Sligo.
CORK CITY
After coming unstuck away to Dundalk and St Patrick’s Athletic in successive games Cork are back in the groove having beaten Derry City and Limerick FC over the past week.
The result is that City remain among the front runners in this season’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division and their ‘good start’ is threatening to turn into a concerted challenge for the top spot. The question is whether John Caulfield’s side has the stamina for it.
Last Friday saw the Rebels outclass a Derry side that have struggled all season to mould individual ability into an effective team performance and on Tuesday night Cork ended up hanging on to a narrow win in the face of a spirited come back by Limerick FC at Thomond Park. Six crucial points, then, that were well deserved but hard won.
Bray offer a similar challenge in that Cork will be expected to take the points but they won’t have it easy.
A feature of Cork’s play this season has been the ruthlessness with which they have exploited opportunities when they are presented and they will have to demonstrate that again at the Carlisle Grounds against a Bray defence that have conceded just two goals in their last six league games.
With nine league goals to his name, Billy Dennehy may prove to be the key on Friday night but City have also been impressive in midfield with the central trio of Colin Healy, Gearoid Morrissey and Garry Buckley creating a formidable partnership. With Brian Lenihan and Dennehy also excelling in the wide positions Caulfield has created a side that is fueled by energy and clinical ambition.
Caulfield will be without Darren Murphy, Michael Rafter and Danny Morrissey who are all injured, although Morrissey has returned to training. While Dan Murray and Colin Healy will both have hamstring worries assessed prior to the game.
Referee: Jim McKell
MATCH STATS
Cork City have not been beaten at the Carlisle Grounds since 9 October 2009 when goals from Jake Kelly and Dave Mulcahy (2) handed the Seagulls a 3-2 win.
Bray have collected seven points from nine in their last three home league games, while Cork have earned just three from nine in their last three games on the road.
Seven players have scored for Bray in the league this season, bagging a total of 12 goals; while eight players have scored in the league for Cork City, netting 23.
BETTING
Bray 10/3; Draw 23/10; Cork 5/6.
PREDICTION
Bray Wanderers 0-2 Cork City
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Jake Kelly, Shane O’Connor.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Cork City
Injured: Darren Murphy, Michael Rafter, Danny Morrissey.
Doubtful: Dan Murray, Colin Healy.
Unavailable: Brian Lenihan (International duty)
Suspended: None.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and …