Bohemians – Bray Wanderers Preview: Long expecting tough game
By Daire Walsh
Keith Long leads his team into battle against his former club and is wary of the threat posed by the Wicklow team, who are finding stability under Harry Kenny
Bohemians will be hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to five games this evening, when they welcome Bray Wanderers to Dalymount Park.
Dan Byrne (hamstring) and Jake Kelly (shoulder) remain doubtful for this encounter, but after missing out with a virus recently, Dave Mulcahy is available once again.
The north Dubliners have added experienced midfielder Ian Morris – who counts the likes of Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, St Patrick’s Athletic and Glenavon amongst his former clubs – to their ranks since their 1-0 defeat of Longford Town last Saturday, but goalkeeper Lee Steacy has transferred to Bray in advance of tonight’s fixture.
The Gypsies’ current position of seventh is the highest they have been all season, but with Harry Kenny now permanently in charge of Wanderers, Bohs manager Keith Long is wary of the challenge the visitors will provide.
“Harry’s come in and done well. They’re unbeaten in three, have strengthened their squad and they will be dangerous opponents,” Long remarked to bohemiansfc.com.
“It will be another tough game – there’s a few ex-Bohs players in their squad too which always makes it interesting. We need to give a performance on Friday.”
In addition to Steacy, Kevin Lynch has also joined the Bray first-team squad for the rest of the 2016 campaign – having played at local level in the capital with Sheriff YC.
Wanderers claimed their first win under new boss Harry Kenny at home to Wexford Youths last weekend, and as they aim to remain outside of the bottom-two with a positive result in Phisborough, they are expected to have a full squad to pick from.
Kenny felt they were full value for their victory over Wexford, and believes they were due a bit of luck after playing out recent scoreless draws with Sligo Rovers and Longford Town.
“We played very, very well tonight [Saturday]. We were due a little bit of luck, and we hadn’t really been scoring goals. So, to score three goals tonight, and play and win in that convincing manner was very pleasing,” he told RTE’s ‘Soccer Republic’.