Mervue United -v- Athlone Town

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United will be looking for back to back home wins when they entertain Athlone Town at Fahy’s Field on Friday evening.

The Galway side have been the surprise package thus far this season and currently sit second in the league three points behind Longford Town. They are unbeaten at home in the league picking up seven points from a possible nine in the first round of fixtures.

Last week’s victory against Wexford Youths was their third of the campaign and manager Johnny Glynn is aware that they will need to build on that performance if they are to win on Friday. “I was delighted with the response from the lads last week especially after the Cobh game the previous week. I expect Athlone to be our biggest challenge of season this weekend as we head into the second round of league games, we need to build on last weeks win”.

Glynn will be without Martin Conneely who continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury. Paul Sinnott is also a doubt with a dead leg.

The two sides met on the opening night of the season, that game finished 0-0, the first time a game between the two sides has failed to produce a goal.

ATHLONE TOWN

Roddy Collins side will be hoping to bounce back from last weeks disappointing loss to Longford Town when they travel to Mervue on Friday night.

A win would bring the Midlanders level on points with their opponents, who currently sit three places above them in the table. The Westmeath side have picked up three points from a possible nine on the road this season and will need to improve this away form if they are to challenge their rivals Longford Town for league honours.

The two sides have met 14 times in the league with Athlone holding the advantage winning eight of the games to Mervue’s four. In those 14 games there have been a total of 29 goals scored.

Athlone will be without Conor McMahon who misses out through illness, while Aidan Collins is doubtful with an ankle injury. They can call on the services of Roddy Collins Jnr who returns to the squad after serving his two game suspension.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

MATCH STATS

Mervue have won two of the last three meeting between the sides. Prior to those three meetings Athlone had won six games on the trot against the Galway side.

The sides have met 14 times, six of these games have finished 1-0.

Mervue have averaged over two goals a game so far this season.

BETTING

Mervue United 6/5, Draw 11/8, Athlone 2/1.

PREDICTION

Mervue United 1-0 Athlone Town.

Mervue United

Injured: Martin Conneely.
Doubtful: Paul Sinnott.
Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: Conor McMahon.
Doubtful: Aidan Collins.
Suspended: None.