TT No.4: Neil Fissler - Wed 16 July 2008, Bray Wanderers vs. Millwall; PS - Mid season Friendly;   Result: 0-1; Admission: 15 euro; Prog: 5 euro (full colour double issue for Leeds friendly); Match Rating: **

The second match of The Lions short tour took place at Bray, a town around 45 minutes from the centre of Dublin on the Dart train, which believe it or not was probably the cheapest thing I paid for in four days I was in the country.   Bray is on the coast with the ground almost adjacent to the station via a small forecourt and a row of shops, and the sea front was a couple of minutes walk away. Interestingly Bray were only at home to Bohemians the previous night in a Eircom Premier Division game so once again only fringe and reserve team players were going to be on display but the game was still lively enough.   Unlike Shelbourne on Monday night Bray opted to leave admission at their normal league price of 15 euros, but I suppose once you have travelled from London, you aren’t going to turn back at the turnstiles are you. I was warned that the Carlisle Grounds would be very open and cold with the sea front at our backs and I can honestly say that it’s the coldest that I have ever been at a pre season friendly in the middle of July.   Entering the ground saw Millwall fans directed to a large open seated terrace which had a press box and PA hut built out of breeze blocks at the back. On the opposite side a shallow almost temporary looking grandstand that ran three quarters of the length of the pitch and housed the home fans. Behind the goal nearest the train station where you came into the ground was a grassy bank but was closed and behind the other goal stood a car park! The game itself was OK, Millwall winning by the only goal despite creating a number of clear cut scoring chances.

contributed 19/07/08