Men’s Match Preview: Bray Wanderers (A)
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division: Bray Wanderers vs Athlone Town AFC
Date: April 5th, 2024
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Carlisle Grounds
Athlone have been a real mixed bag this season having started so well in the first game of the season then having to wait until Monday to add to their only win of the season. Athlone who played a great game in Cork and were disappointed not to come away with at least a point also played well on Monday against Treaty United.
This will be Bray’s fifth match in fifteen days, and they have a bit of an injury crisis on their hands so they will be looking get back to winning ways on Friday.
Both teams will have something to prove and with only three points between the two clubs its all to play for on Friday night in the Carlisle Grounds.
Dario Castelo spoke to staff at AthloneTownAFC.ie, “There have been a lot of games in the last two weeks, and we were very happy to get back to winning ways on Monday. It’s important we continue with this momentum and continue to play well for the fans.”
Team News
Athlone Town AFC Noah Van Geenen is ruled out with injury.
Bray Wanderers Max Murphy is suspended, Calum Thompson, Jimmy Corcoran, Darren Craven, Cristian Magerusan and Ben Feeney are all injured.
Past Encounters
In researching this fixture, we went back to October 1997 and in that time Athlone and Bray have played 34 times in that time. Bray have come out on top 20 times there have been 8 draws with Athlone winning 6. Only twice has this fixture ended scoreless in the last 26 years so we are guaranteed a difficult game and goals. The last time we visited Bray we came away with a point having rescued a draw in the 92nd minute scoring from a corner to make it 2-2.
Key Players to Watch
Athlone Town AFC Jamar Campion-Hinds has returned from a long-term layoff and looked really bright on his return. It may be too soon for him to start but he is one to watch.
Bray Wanderers Kilian Cantwell was linked to return to his former club Athlone in the offseason, but the Kilkenny man has enjoyed his time with the seasiders since signing for them, a real leader on and off the pitch he will certainly be a handful for the Athlone forwards to deal with.
Match Tickets
Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here.
Live Coverage:
The game will be streamed live on LOITV. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.
Referee Team
Referee: Chris Sheehan
1st Assistant Referee: Ricky Crean
2nd Assistant Referee: Trevor Cotter
4th Official: Robert Dowling