League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Galway United

COBH RAMBLERS

Stephen Henderson’s side are eleven points off the playoff spots in the First Division at this point of the season and they’ll be looking to reduce that amount when Galway United visit St Colman’s Park on Saturday night (kick-off 7:45pm).

Ramblers are on a string of good form with three wins from their last four as they come into Saturday evening’s game. Last week they went to City Calling Stadium and defeated Longford Town 2-1 with goals coming from Denzil Fernandes.

That was an important win for the Cork club against one of their rivals for fourth place in the First Division and it will be important for Henderson’s men to keep going with a win over Galway United especially with just five points separating the sides.

The sides have met twice already this season with Galway United winning the first meeting in Eamonn Deacy Park. Ramblers managed to frustrate their opponents during their second meeting down in Cobh. The sides played out a scoreless draw in what would turn out to be Shane Keegan’s penultimate game managing The Tribesmen.

Cobh have not been a free scoring team this season with just 18 goals scored so far this campaign. Galway aren’t a team known for keeping clean sheets however and if Ramblers can take advantage of this they can come away from Saturday’s game with at least a point as they try to move up the table.

GALWAY UNITED

New manager Alan Murphy began his time in charge of The Tribesmen with a win last week as they defeated Athlone Town 4-1 with goals coming from Conor Barry, Carlton Ubaezuonu, Eoin McCormack and Ronan Manning.

The Tribesmen struggled against Cobh last time out in St Colman’s Park and Murphy is expecting another tough challenge on Saturday night.

“Cobh is traditionally a difficult place to go,” Murphy told the club’s website.

“They’ll be on the crest of a wave after beating a really in-form Longford team last time out.

“We need to concentrate on our own performance and we have to prepare well for the game. We just need to focus on ourselves. We’ll be going down and we’ll be very positive and looking to win the game.

“We’ll be looking to win the battle firstly and obviously then to play the game in the right way.

“Last time out was against Athlone, the result aside, I thought the performance was good. That was the main thing.

“If the performances come in, the results will be a byproduct of that. We’re using it as momentum going forward.”

United were dealt a blow this week as Conor Layng suffered a cruciate injury in an under-19 game against Cabinteely and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Maurice Nugent is still out with an ankle injury as is Mikey Whelan with a hamstring injury.

Referee: Alan Carey

MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen have been struggling in search of a place in the playoffs with just one win in seven games.

Ramblers have scored just 18 goals this season, the joint second lowest in the First Division.

Just five points separate the sides as they go into Saturday night’s game.  

BETTING 

Cobh Ramblers 7/2; Draw 11/4; Galway United 9/10.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-1 Galway United

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Galway United

Injured: Conor Layng, Maurice Nugent, Mikey Whelan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.