Cork City host Bray Wanderers in pursuit of eighth straight win

A second consecutive home game for the Rebel Army awaits as Cork City go in search of their eighth win on the trot when Bray Wanderers arrive at Turner’s Cross this evening.

The Leesiders were exceptional in the second half of last week’s win over Treaty United, rattling off four goals to win in style, despite dealing with persistent injury troubles.

That they’re so reliant on the younger players in the squad should be a cause for concern, but with the quality shown from Cillian Murphy and Donal O’Connor in particular, they’ve coped very well.

For two players so young and so inexperienced to come into a squad challenging for the title and look so at ease is very promising. Obviously the gap between the Premier and First Divisions is huge – Cork City know that fact better than anyone – but the pair certainly look to have to potential, and they continue to prove that with every passing game.

IMPRESSIVE

For a squad so small and under that level of pressure from injuries, to continue picking up points is impressive, but it is imperative they don’t let their form slip.

The biggest news from the camp in the last week was the departure of assistant manager David Meyler, who left for Hull City prior to last week’s win, which Barry Robson confirmed last Friday.

“David's left,” Robson said after the win last week. “He's had a really good opportunity to go to Hull U21s for him back with his family, which is important to him.

"As I said, Dave's done a good job and good for him. We move on, and someone will be coming in very shortly.” 

Bray Wanderers finished 5-2 winners over Longford Town in their outing last weekend, stretching their own unbeaten run to seven games, with five wins and two draws. If City are going to be caught out while light on numbers, this fixture is the most likely contender.

Paul Heffernan’s side sit third, just two points behind UCD and have the strongest form in the league after Cork City. They’ve struggled defensively though, managing just two clean sheets so far this season. Bray have conceded 28 goals, which is almost the combined total of UCD’s 19 and Cork City’s 11.

The Leesiders come into this one having not only won their previous seven games, but doing so without conceding a goal in any of those previous six wins. The last time they did concede was in the Munster Senior Cup final win over Rockmount, while in the league it was in their 3-1 win over UCD at the start of May.

Seani Maguire returned from injury last weekend but it was those around him that did the damage, Ruairí Keating getting the first goal before Hans Mpongo netted a brace and Murphy added the fourth.

It was Murphy’s second goal this season but he’s already got six assists, the best of which came last weekend when he won possession with a tackle and got past two Treaty players before setting up Mpongo for the goal.

Mpongo’s the current top-scorer in the division with 12 goals, while Bray’s Ben McCormack is three goals behind with nine. Behind them is a three-way tie for third, with Seani Maguire Keating and former City winger Dylan McGlade all on eight goals.

Given the injury list, tonight’s team will likely mirror that of last week’s, unless Matthew Murray has played his way into the starting 11, and given that his showing from the bench last week was the best he’s produced so far this season, he’s certainly given Barry Robson reason to think.