Bray Wanderers will host local rivals Wexford at the Carlisle Grounds this Friday 23rd May, Paul Heffernan’s side will hope to continue their incredible form by making it eight wins from their last ten games, as they look to maintain their title charge. From the Wexford perspective, the Slaneysiders will be hoping to return to winning ways, after failing to win any of their last 4 (1D 3L), with the likes of UCD and Finn Harps closing in on them, a result here is crucial for Wexford if they’re to retain their place in the playoff spots.
The sides have already faced off once this season, back in gameweek two, with a Mikie Rowe brace leading Wexford to victory. Over the last ten encounters between the sides, things have been quite balanced with both Bray winning four, Wexford winning four, with the other two being drawn. This balance highlights the unpredictability of this fixture can be, Friday’s encounter could go either way. This season, The Seagulls have averaged of 1.7 goals per game, with Wexford scoring at a slightly lower rate, with an average of 1.1 goals per game. On the defensive side of things, both sides have conceded an average of 1.3 goals a game, once again indicating that this could be a very close game with little to separate the sides.
So far this season for Wanderers, there have been stars all over the pitch but few have shone brighter that 17 year old starlet Billy O’Neill, who has truly broken out this season with 2 goals and 4 assists, contributing to a quarter of Bray’s total league goals and truly making himself one of the first names on Heffernan’s team sheet. He will be one to watch closely this Friday.
When looking for a standout player at Wexford, you can’t look past First Divison top scorer Mikie Rowe, who has scored 10 of The Slaneysiders 17 league goals so far this campaign. He has been lethal in front of goal, and he could definitely do some damage to The Seagulls defence.
My prediction is that we will see a very close affair, both teams will go for it and there will be goals. Bray 2-2 Wexford.