Longford Town -v- Mervue United

LONGFORD TOWN

Mervue United takes a one goal lead into the second leg of the Airtricity League First Division Play-off at the City Calling stadium on Friday night.

Longford Town were outplayed for large periods of last weekend’s first leg and must be thanking their stars that Jason Molloy’s wonder striker is the only goal to overturn.

Corrie Treacy’s moment of madness after 25 minutes actually benefited the teams’ second-half performance. Manager Tony Cousins was forced to re-shuffle his tactics when the captain saw red following a hard tackle on Mervue striker Michael Duffy.

Cousins had started with Treacy as holding midfielder to thwart the threat of Ryan Manning but this exposed the Town down both flanks.

Mervue were happy to exploit this for the first 45 minutes but didn’t enjoy as much freedom in the second period. Cousins would be wise to keep it simple 4-4-2 or even deploy a lone striker in David O’Sullivan, who got through a mountain of work on his own up front in last week’s second half. He was the Town’s only real threat from open play on the night.

The Midlands club will be a tougher nut to crack buoyed by a swelling home support expected in attendance. 

MERVUE UNITED                          

The Galway side is on a seven game unbeaten run which extends back to mid-August’s home defeat to Athlone Town. Since then Johnny Glynn’s side have only conceded once on their way to nabbing the final playoff spot.

Martin Connelly returns from injury but doubts surround Gary Kelly and Gary Curran who picked up injuries while playing for their colleges during the week.

If Mervue avoids defeat they will face the 11^th placed finishers in the Premier Division in a two legged playoff. At the moment Bray Wanderers and U.C.D are level on points heading into the final round of matches. It has been a season to remember for the Galway men despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future in league of Ireland football.

Last Friday, Mervue should and could have put the tie to bed but only the one goal separates the sides and, Johnny Glynn is well aware this is not a lead to take for granted against a strong side in Longford Town.

“We played really well again last week and take a narrow advantage into the second leg but it’s only half time in the tie and Longford showed in the second half that they are still in this tie and capable of turning it around.

It’s going to be another tough game and we will have to play as well as we have recently to get a result as Longford will be eager to advance in front of a big home crowd on Friday night.”

Referee: K O’Regan

MATCH STATS

In head to head games this season it’s Mervue United who lead 3-1

Corrie Treacy has been sent off three times against Galway teams this season.

BETTING

Longford Town Evens; Draw 11/5 Mervue United 12/5

PREDICTION

Longford Town 1-1 Mervue United  

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended: Corrie Treacy

Mervue United

Injured: None
Doubtful: Gary Curran (ribs) and Gary Kelly (groin)
Suspended: None