City welcome Seagulls as Devine seeks to ensure Candystripes keep flying high

Derry City v Bray Wanderers, Brandywell, 1 April, 3pm

Having seen his side cruise past Shelbourne on Friday evening, City boss Declan Devine will be keen that his side get another home victory when they host Bray Wanderers tomorrow afternoon at the Brandywell.

City have enjoyed the better of the recent meeting between the two sides and are unbeaten in seven games against Pat Devlin’s outfit.  Bray have yet to register a point on the road in the 2013 season, and were held at home by bottom side UCD on Friday evening.  The Seagulls have also leaked five goals in their away games so far and with City in a rich vein of goal scoring form, there will be an expectation that the Candystripes can push on and continue their recent winning form.  Bray have only won once in the Brandywell in twenty eight visits, with that victory coming back in 2002.

Devlin will be without former City keeper Darren Quigley who was red carded on Friday night, and also looks as if he will have to plan with central defender Adam Mitchell who is struggling with a knee injury.  However with the ever dangerous Jason Byrne up front supported by the likes of Kieran Marty Waters, City need to remain vigilant and ensure they don’t underestimate their visitors.

Speaking ahead of the game Declan Devine noted, “The result on Friday was very well deserved one and we can see that it has helped build momentum in the squad, we had a light training session this morning and the lads were all very positive and very confident. For me the main positives since the opening game have been the fact we have now had 3 clean sheets and created a lot of chances in front of goal.”

“Having said that we will need to be very vigilant as this Bray side are a very good footballing side as their comeback with ten men on Friday evening proves. The one benefit for us will be that fact with such a short turn around in fixtures we are at home for the second time, where as Bray have had to play 45 minutes with ten men and must travel up here for the game.”

City saw ex Bray player Sean Houston and Rory Patterson hobble off on Friday and their condition will be monitored as to whether they will be fit to make the starting eleven.  Stewart Greacen remains on the long term injury list although the big Scot is close to making a return to training.  Another ex Wanderer, Paddy Kavanagh may be involved in the panel as he has now completed his recovery from a hamstring strain.