While there’s points to be won there’s hope

ALTHOUGH delighted with the players at his disposal, Martin Russell can’t wait for reinforcements. Bray Wanderers bounced back from a drubbing in Tallaght to hold third placed Waterford FC to a 0-0 draw.

And if the Seagulls can manage that with a depleted squad, Russell can’t wait to see what they’re capable of with the full compliment. He was delighted with a point on Friday but can’t help but wonder what might have been if his side had been more clinical.

“I couldn’t fault the effort. If you were being really critical, you’d say that we needed the composure to take one of the half-chances we had which would have been the icing on the cake but they’ve all tried ever so hard so well done to them, keep it going and we’ll keep working away but hopefully the competition will grow with players coming back. I’m pleased tonight but disappointed that we didn’t get the three points.

“There was lads coming in tonight for their first game and they’d only trained with us this week for the first time...I thought we passed it well and we tried to play in the right manner. They all gave what they could and we have to go with that.”

That point closes the gap on Limerick to six points and Limerick is Bray’s next fixture after the mid-season break. Victory there leaves the margin at three points whilst defeat stretches it to nine. Russell hopes to have a few key men back from injury in time.

“It’s a big one but there’ll still be games after it. While there’s points there (to be won), there’s hope. We’ll look forward to that game when we come back.

“We could be close with one or two. Aaron Greene is close to getting back, Gary McCabe and Conor Kenna should be available. Three big players who were notably big players when Bray have gone on decent runs previously. As senior players, you do need them fit and playing well so if you can add them into that group from Friday, I think you can get a little bit stronger again.”

Bray’s spirit can’t be ques- tioned. They bounced back from a 5-0 loss to draw 0-0 against one of the best teams in the country and that attitude will be vital for Bray between now and the end of the season. It’s important and we’ve done that before. We had a bad result against Dundalk but the response against St. Pat’s was excellent. I can’t ask for anything more than they’re giving us and we’ll encourage them see where it takes us.”