Athlone Boss Kelly hoping for rub of the green

Athlone Town manager Stephen Kelly was pleased with his side’s performance against Limerick last weekend but realises that their next match against Bray will be a different story.

Athlone had mixed results against the Seagulls last season as they defeated Pat Devlin’s side twice in St Mel’s Park although Bray exacted revenge at home.

The midlanders have been in erratic form all season but Kelly believes that with a bit of luck they can pick up another three points and move further up the table.

"Bray is always a tough match. We done well against them down here last year, we beat them twice here in Saint Mel’s. That probably put a bit of a dent in their promotion hopes so I’m sure they’ll be out for revenge, but they had the Indian sign over us at the Carlisle Grounds. They beat us twice there, including knocking us out of the Cup, and they beat us there this season as well," Kelly told the club’s official site.

"We have got to be on our toes. They are an even more improved side since then with Eamon Zayed back, so it’s going to be a very tough match. It’s always a battle with Bray.

They’re always very strong from set-pieces and that so we’ve got to play to 110% of our abilities and hope for a few kind bounces of the ball too", he concluded.

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Promotion chasing Bray Wanderers will be without their first choice strikers for the trip to face Athlone Town in St Mel’s Park tonight. Kick off 7.45pm.

Bray are keeping the pressure on leaders UCD at the top of the table with the Seagulls only trailing by one point with 17 games remaining in the campaign.

The seaside club will have to do with strikers Eamon Zayed who has been in excellent form since he returned from First Division side Crewe Alexandra and former Manchester United star Kevin Grogan, both of whom are injured.

When the sides met at the Carlisle Grounds back in April, the home side came away with the three points in a 2-1 win but last season Pat Devlin’s side suffered two defeats in St Mel’s Park.

Athlone’s form this season has been erratic to say the least as they have produced some excellent displays only to be followed by dismal showings.

Player/manager Stephen Kelly has seen his injury list decrease in the last week or so and with Alan Kelly returning after suspension, the Midlanders are almost at full strength.

Kelly will look to top scorer Adrian Murphy to add to his tally of eight goals in the campaign as the 19-year-old has failed to hit the target in their last four matches.