Mervue United -v- Longford Town

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue have really boosted their hopes of stealing second place from under the noses of both Waterford United and Longford, who both sit on forty four points in the league, after winning their third straight match after beating Finn Harps last Friday night. Mervue are now fourth with forty points, four behind the other two, but a good result against Longford could shake up the whole race.

Last Friday, Mervue continued their fine form with a 2-0 win against Finn Harps away from home, their third in a row. Not only have they beaten promotion rivals Waterford United in this end of season run, but they have also kept three straight clean sheets which has Mervue manager Johnny Glynn very happy going into the Longford game, “We performed very well last week and it was great to come away from Finn Park with all three points” he said to the club’s website before cautiously adding, “But we need to continue that form to get a result against Longford."

So far this season, it been even stevens between the two with both winning a game and the other being a draw. The most recent meeting saw Mervue come away with 3-1 win over Longford in what was probably Mervue’s best performance all season although the manager is hoping that they can come up with something even better for Friday’s game. "We are very focused on finishing the season well and we must be able to find further improvement if we are to win against Longford” Glynn said, before finishing that it “should be an interesting game.”

Mervue welcome back full back Mark Ludden into the fold after he was ruled out of the Harps game due to suspension. There are no injuries or suspensions as the manager will have a full squad to pick from including top goalscorer Ryan Manning, who scored his ninth goal of the campaign against Finn Harps.

LONGFORD TOWN

After an alarming dip in form, Longford have stabilised ahead of a tough trip to Mervue United. Currently holding the throne that is second place on forty four points, level with Waterford but beating them on goal difference by seven goals, Longford head into this game knowing that they will have to beat Waterford’s result, which is a tricky test against league leaders Athlone, in order to stay in coveted spot.

Longford have won their last two games in a row after only winning one game out of seven, which included a loss to Waterford. Their last game was a demolition of Cobh Ramblers at home as they as they won 7-2 to really aid their goal difference. David O’Sullivan scored two that night and Longford will be hoping that he has his shooting boots on during Friday’s game as they look to try and seal second spot before the last game.

Although Longford did lose to Mervue at home recently, they did beat the Galway side 2-1 away from home earlier this season. Longford will want to repeat that result again as they face Wexford Youths and Athlone in their final two matches and would like to try and have enough points to guarantee their second spot before travelling to Athlone, who will most probably be celebrating winning the league.

Longford will be without suspended Kevin Quinn for the match after he was sent off during Longford’s drubbing of Cobh Ramblers for two yellow cards. They will also be missing young full back Jamie Mulhall after he was stretchered off after a half an hour against Cobh.

Referee: Andrew Mullally

MATCH FACTS

David O’Sullivan has scored in all three games against Mervue United this season.

Longford are hoping to go one better than last year when they finished third in the league and played Waterford United in the play-offs, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

Mervue have never been in the Airtricity Premier Division while Longford were relegated from it in 2007.

BETTING

Mervue 13/8; Draw 9/4; Longford 7/5.

PREDICTION

Mervue United 2-1 Longford Town. Just.

Mervue United

Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Longford Town

Injured: Jamie Mullhall.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Keith Quinn.