EA Sports Cup Preview: Drogheda United -v- Bluebell United

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United enter the 2016 EA Sports Cup tonight when they host Leinster Senior League side Bluebell United at United Park.

The Boynesiders have made a productive return to life in the second tier of Irish senior football following last season’s disappointing relegation.

They welcome Bluebell to a ground where they have an unbeaten league record this season having accounted for Waterford United on the League’s opening night and then following that up by drawing last Friday’s match against Athlone Town.

The Drogs’ are a club with a rich cup pedigree over the last ten years. They defeated Shamrock Rovers four years ago in the decider of this competition and have appeared in three Setanta Cups and two FAI Cup finals also over that period.

Drogheda will be favourites to progress due to their higher ranking in terms of the league they operate in, however, they’re expected to rest several key players ahead of their trip to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne on Saturday evening, so an unlikely cup shock could be in the offing.

BLUEBELL UNITED

Bluebell United will head up the M1 to Drogheda with an unassuming confidence that they can chalk up a cup upset by capitalising on the home sides leaky defence.

The Leinster Senior League side have already accounted for League opposition in competitive competition this year having won in Stradbrook against Cabinteely last Monday evening.

An extra time strike by the former Crumlin United attacker Graham Zambra was enough to see Bluebell progress to the next round of the Leinster Senior Cup.

In Ger Rowe, Gary Curran, Jordon Keegan and Robert Bayly, they’ve gotten top-level experience and these players along with their other former League of Ireland stars could be crucial to any cup progression tonight.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH FACTS

This is Bluebell United’s second cup game against League of Ireland opposition in the space of seven days having already accounted for Cabinteely one week ago after extra-time in the Leinster Senior Cup.

Bluebell midfielder Robert Bayly represented Drogheda last season before moving to his new side last December following his release by the Boynesiders after last October’s relegation.

Drogheda’s last major trophy was the 2012 EA Sports Cup. They defeated Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in the final played at Tallaght Stadium. Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien and Eric Foley were among the scorers for the Drogs’, who were then managed by Mick Cooke

BETTING

Drogheda United 4/9; Draw 3/1; Bluebell United 5/1

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-0 Bluebell United

Drogheda United

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Unknown.

Bluebell United

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspension: Unknown.