Leinster Senior Cup Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Longford Town

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford will head into tonight’s game in buoyant mood having picked up their first win of the league season last Friday night against Bray Wanderers in Ferrycarrig Park.

Paul Murphy, arguably their most impressive player this season, settled the south-east derby with a brace to elevate them above Bray Wanderers in the league table

Although, it took Youths six league games to secure their maiden victory and move off the foot of the table, their performances have been very impressive throughout their debut Premier Division campaign.

They were denied a victory late on by Bohemians in Dalymount Park, as well as succumbing to late winners to both Derry City and Dundalk in recent weeks. Manager Shane Keegan even described their loss to Shamrock Rovers in Round 2 as the “best performance they ever gave him”.

Wexford exited the Leinster Senior Cup last season to Dundalk. They lost that game to a youthful Lilywhites side 3-0 in Ferrycarrig Park and they’ll be keen to atone for last year’s loss by continuing their run in this year’s tournament, Longford Town stand in their way of achieving progression though, a side who have already triumphed over Youths this season.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford manager Tony Cousins has seen his side struggle for form, discipline and league points in recent weeks. The Town are without a competitive three points since week 1, where they won 2-0 against tonight’s opposition.

Four defeats in their next five league games has dispelled them to second from bottom of the table. Last Friday night’s defeat in Dalymount Park against Bohemians was made all the more bitter due to the fact that their former winger, Ayman Ben Mohamed, was involved directly in both goals, scoring one and assisting the other.

Town seem to be struggling for a goalscorer since the highly documented departure of the prolific Gary Shaw to Shamrock Rovers in the off-season.

In his absence, Josh O’Hanlon has returned to the club on-loan from AFC Bournemouth, however, he hasn’t been able to replicate the scoring form that saw him head to the English south-coast with Town this season. Indeed, Longford haven’t scored in their last two league games.

Longford also exited the EA Sports Cup recently, again losing to Bohemians in Dublin. They’ll be keen to build upon their LSC win over Drumcondra in the last round, and may seek to use this competition to propel improved league performances.

Referee: Unknown

MATCH STATS

Tonight’s match will be played in IT Carlow due to the surface at Ferrycarrig Park being deemed unplayable.

Longford Town opened their league season with a 2-0 win over Wexford in March, however, Wexford recovered quickly from that defeat as they accounted for Athlone Town 2-1 in the LSC First Round three days later.

Defending First Division title holders Wexford Youths took that crown from Longford Town, who were promoted to the Premier Division as champions in 2014.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 7/5; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 13/8.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 2-0 Longford Town

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

LONGFORD TOWN

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None