Galway United manager John Caulfield is expecting a difficult assignment against Bray Wanderers at Eamonn Deacy Park tomorrow (7.45pm ).
Friday’s stirring win over Waterford FC at the RSC illustrated United’s potential as Manu Dimas’ crisp first half goal proved to be the decisive moment.
Caulfield was satisfied with United’s competent display with captain Conor McCormack anchoring the midfield impressively.
“It was a very strong performance by us, we controlled the game, particularly in the first half, we dominated,” Caulfield says.
“We played some smashing football, got a fantastic passing move down the left for the goal for Manu Dimas, a beautiful cushioned finish from about 15 yards into the bottom corner. We had other chances, it was a really solid performance. It was back to a good strong, passing performance, defensively we were very strong.
“There was one spell in the second half where Waterford headed against the crossbar on two occasions in the one incident, but other than that we controlled the game very well.
The most important thing, and we have spoken about this, is trying to get the second goal to kill the game. It wasn't like a rearguard action, we actually had numerous half chances where we were really intent on trying to get the second goal.
“Certainly up until half time we felt we should have taken one of those after going one up. It was a very strong performance from us for the full 90 minutes which is great.
“This season we have played very well at times and in patches, but throughout the full 90 minutes in a lot of games we haven't been as dominant as we would like. We felt the other night the performance was very strong.”
Pat Devlin’s Bray Wanderers drew with Cork City at Turners Cross on Friday before losing to a last gasp Longford Town goal at the Carlisle Grounds on Monday.
Caulfield, though, is aware of Bray’s durability. “When you get a merger with any clubs, like Cabinteely and Bray Wanderers, you get a lot of new players together - it takes time for teams to settle and to get their rhythm,” he says.
“They had a very poor start, they lost the first three or four matches of the season. All of a sudden you look at them now, they put a number of wins together, they drew with Cork on Friday night down in Cork.
“It just shows you the results that they have got, over the last five or six games they have got good results. Pat Devlin's teams are always really, really competitive, they are very strong at set pieces, very strong on the counter attack.
“Again it is our next home game, we know when teams come to Eamonn Deacy Park they sit in to try to hit us on the counter attack. We have to be patient - and like we did in Waterford we have to play better, pass the ball better. The main thing is it is a home game, we need the crowd to be at it from the start, we need that atmosphere and support coming from the terraces because it does make a difference. Hopefully we will get a big crowd on Friday night.”
Following six victories in nine matches, cause for optimism exists according to Caulfield. “We certainly would like to score more goals and keep more clean sheets, lots of areas we need to improve on,” Caulfield replies. “Early indications are - and I have said this from the outset - is this can be a very good team.
“I think there is an attitude within the group, that they really want to do it for the club. Our supporters can see that, the large number that travelled to Waterford could see the performance the other night. This is a marathon, but we are happy that we are up near the top.”
**Listen to the full interview with Galway United manager John Caulfield on this week’s ‘Cian on Sport’ podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
