Preview: Bray Wanderers v Cork City

Friday 12th October 2007, 1:18 am

Dan Murray, Cork City.

Photo by Tom Carey.

12th October 2007

eircom League of Ireland Premier Division

Bray Wanderers
v
Cork City

Venue : Carlisle Grounds

Referee : Tom Connolly

Kick-off : 7:45 PM

Having picked up four points from their last couple of games, Bray Wanderers have take taken great strides towards safety in recent weeks. They drew with UCD last weekend and are now four points clear of second from bottom Waterford United.

Cork City visit the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night looking to at least consolidate second place in the League of Ireland. Eight points behind Drogheda United and due to visit Drogheda next weekend, this game could have a huge bearing on whether City keep the title race alive or not.

Cork beat UCD at Belfield on Monday night and are currently the form side in the division having picked up sixteen points from the last eighteen available and are unbeaten in eight league games.

Cork boss Damien Richardson is hoping his side stay on top form, "It is important that we build on the success of last Monday night. This will be a different challenge to the one we faced in Belfield. The attitude is good and the ability is there, so we have to combine those and get the required result. It´s as simple as that."

Richardson expects Bray to put their usual tough challenge, "Bray have had a good week, and they have drawn with us twice already this season. We are under no illusions, and we understand fully the quality of the challenge facing us."

While Bray secured a dramatic late equaliser against Cork in April to earn a 1-1 draw, the return game at Turner's Cross in August saw Cork score twice to redeem a game Bray had led 2-0 to earn a 2-2 draw.

Speaking of last week's draw with UCD, Eddie Gormley said "It wasn't a sparkling performance but we were solid. I was disappointed we didn't get the three points, but it's a long time since we went to Belfield and got a comfortable draw."

"It will be a tough game against Cork City. The lads are in high spirits, we trained well during the week and we will be looking to get something from the game", added the Bray boss.

Team news

Bray Wanderers

Skipper Clive Delaney is suspended.

Paul Dunphy returns from a ban but Mark Duggan is now suspended.

Colm Tresson is finally nearing a return from a very troublesome heel injury but it will probably be next weekend before he returns.

Cork City

Darragh Ryan remains out with a pelvic injury while a dead leg suffered against Shamrock Rovers last Friday rules John O'Flynn out.

Club captain Dan Murray is suspended with Sean Kelly set to replace him in the heart of the Cork defence.

Joe Gamble should return though after an ankle injury saw him miss the win over UCD.