League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Longford Town

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers welcome the new Airtricity League First Division leaders Longford Town to St. Colman’s Park on Saturday evening. Kick off 7.45pm.

The Cork side needs no reminding of their plight this season but a handful of positive results in recent times points to a squad that has re-grouped under Martin Cambridge.

The Rams have won once and drawn two of their last four games and, the last time Cobh hosted Longford, Ramblers kept the free-scoring Midlands club quiet with a surprise scoreless draw. A week previously Tony Cousins’ Longford had put six past hapless Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ and pundits expected another goal-glut in the seaside Cork town but that never materialized.

Last week Cobh travelled to Finn Harps and secured their first away point of the season in a scoreless draw, but goalkeeper Shane Hallahan was badly injured and is expected to be out for the next month or so.

Cobh’s renewed confidence and self-belief will be tested to its limits on Saturday as a rampaging Longford look to cash in on their surplus fixtures.

LONGFORD TOWN 

The 0-0 draw away to Cobh at the beginning of June was the last time Longford Town dropped any points in the league.

Four successive wins over Finn Harps, Galway FC, Shelbourne and, last week, a 2-0 win Wexford Youths propelled Cousins’ team to the top of the league. Worryingly for the other pretenders to the first division crown, The Town still have a game in hand.

Counting a win over Athlone in the FAI Cup, Longford have scored eleven goals in five games and conceded none. It’s no wonder they have the best defensive record in the league with ten goals against in 16 games.

Cobh put it up the Town the last time the side’s met at St. Colman’s Park but there will be no stopping Tony Cousins’ team this time. Longford have too much form, confidence and momentum for Ramblers to cause a second upset this season.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

Longford have scored same amount of home and away goals this season with 14.

The Rams have the worst defensive record in the league with 36 goals conceded.

Cobh have lost only once at home since their scoreless draw with The Town.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 12/1; Draw 5/1; Longford Town 1/5.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 0-3 Longford Town

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Shane Hallahan, Eoin Hastings, Alan O’Flynn

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Rob Waters

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Glen O’Connor