Cork City return home in the hopes of maintaining their winning ways against an unbeaten Bray Wanderers side after a goal-fest in Wexford.
Cork City approach the fixture with the maximum points possible from their opening 2 games. Opening night did not go as planned for Barry Robson’s side, with Treaty putting up a fight, only for fan favourite Ruairí Keating to rescue the 3 points in the dying embers for The Rebel Army. However, the trip to Ferrycarrig Park was a different kettle of fish. City dispatched Wexford with a professional 4-1 victory. Ruairí Keating found the net for a second game running, Hans Mpongo opened his account on Leeside and Seani Maguire earned himself a brace, on top of an assist. Other players including 16 year-old sensation Cillian Murphy and winger Josh Fitzpatrick also had top performances.
Bray make the trip south, still with no losses to they’re name. Their season started off at the Carlisle Grounds, in which they shared the points with Wayne Groves’ Longford Town 1-1. Richard Ferizaj found the net early, courtesy of a Billy O’Neill cutback. Paul Heffernan’s side had a further 4 shots on target, but Dean George’s equaliser was enough to split the points. Fortunately for the Seagulls, their journey west was more successful, beating Treaty United 1-0 at the Markets Field, with Billy O’Neill taking his goal contributions up to 2 for the season, finding the back of the net in this encounter.
Key Information:
Kick Off: Friday, 27th of February
Where to Watch: LOI TV
Betting Odds: Cork City @4/7, Draw @14/5, Bray Wanderers @7/2
Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin)
Team News:
Harry Nevin has completed his suspension following his sending off last November in the FAI Cup Final vs Shamrock Rovers. Charlie Hanover remains out with a knee injury.
Benjamin Fagbemi resumed training last week, he has missed the first 2 games of the season with a knee problem. Jamie Ryan also remains out with a shoulder issue.
Key Statistics:
Both sides have tended to retain the ball this season, averaging more possession than their opposition. Cork City have averaged 58.3%, while Bray have averaged 55.4%.
However, there is a considerable difference between the 2 teams when it comes to total shots per game. Cork City are comfortable with letting loose on goal, averaging 14 shots per game so far, ranking them 2nd in the league in regards to this stat. The Seagulls on the other hand, rank bottom of the league, averaging a mere 7.5 shots per game so far this season.
Bray Wanderers have not beaten Cork City since the closing game of the 2016 Premier Division season, where they defeated a rotated City side, as the Leesiders approached the FAI Cup final the week after, which The Rebel Army won famously in late fashion.
Seani Maguire is familiar with this fixture, finding the net on 6 occasions for Cork City, when Bray Wanderers are the opposition.
Key Players:
Bray will have to be wary, especially in the back line, of the quality City hold in attack, through Ruairí Keating, Seani Maguire and Hans Mpongo. Although Mpongo has played as a left-sided player so far this season, the triumvirate have netted all 5 of City’s goals so far this season. The limits of they’re scoring this year will be hard to depict.
Bray Wanders also have players in the front line that can do damage, especially 17 year-old wonderkid Billy O’Neill. O’Neill scored 11 goals last year, from the wing, incredibly impressive numbers for his age. The winger can also play a part in the success of others, equaling his goal tally with assists, playing the key ball for a goal 11 times also.
Previous Meetings:
27/9/24 – Bray Wanderers 3-3 Cork City
28/6/24 – Cork City 1-0 Bray Wanderers
17/5/24 – Bray Wanderers 1-3 Cork City
15/3/24 – Cork City 2-0 Bray Wanderers