League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Bohemians

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths welcome Bohemians to Ferrycarrig Park after an agonising defeat away at the Champions last Sunday evening. A stoppage time goal saw Wexford lose the game 3-2 despite having been ahead twice over the course of the contest.

Both games against Dundalk this season have been close and in both games Wexford lost the game in the dying embers. Shane Keegan will be hoping his players can learn from last Sunday's experience and not repeat the pattern again against Bohemians.

"We gave a really good account of ourselves up in Oriel. It might not have got us any points but knowing that you can go toe to toe with the best team in the country does give players great confidence and I think we're in a very positive place heading into the game."

Keegan has not forgotten the action packed 3-3 draw in Dalymount Park, and he believes this game could be another game worth watching as he anticipates both teams to attack and score goals. He also seems quite aware that tomorrow's opposition are in good form.

"Bohs really seemed to have turned a corner with the last two results so it's going to be a big challenge. We had a cracking game against them up there and with both teams so attack minded I'd expect this one to be similar."

Wexford must continue to plan without their three long-term injured players Aidan Keenan, Peter Higgins and Lee Grace. In addition, Keegan may also be without Danny Furlong and Gary Delaney, as both players are rated doubtful for the final game before the mid-season break.

BOHEMIANS

Bohs exploded into life as they ended a six game goal drought in the league and registered five goals against the hapless St. Patrick's Athletic in the Dublin derby last Sunday.

Such a performance gives them plenty of confidence and belief again and Keith Long knows that the performance is worth capitalising on just before his players leave on a three week mid-season break.

“Our performances have improved over the last few weeks. But we won't be getting ahead of ourselves by saying we've turned a corner just yet.”

"We have to ensure we reproduce that intensity and tempo again so we can build on our recent form."

It's been quite a frustrating season so far for the Gypsies, since they've shown flashes of their true potential. Last season's performances have rarely been replicated thus far this campaign and so last Sunday's performance will only mean anything if Bohs continue to pick up wins and climb up the table.

That's the challenge facing Long and his players for the rest of the season. An away trip to Wexford will prove a good litmus test to see if Bohs can build consistency into their performances and prove that they're able to get into the top half of the table.

"We were lucky to get away with a 3-3 draw when we played them earlier in the season, they ran Dundalk so close last week and they've beaten Rovers too. It will be difficult, but if the team can match the performances of recent weeks, we will give ourselves every chance."

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

This will only be the third competitive meeting between the sides, with one draw and a win for Bohemians having been the two previous results.

Both teams played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Dalymount Park in the middle of March, when an 88^th minute Mark Quigley penalty denied Wexford all three points in a game when Wexford led three times.

Wexford have conceded the second most amount of goals in the league, while before last Sunday, Bohs were the joint worst goal scoring team in the league.

BETTING

Wexford Youths13/5; Draw 13/5; Bohemians Evens.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1-2 Bohemians

Wexford Youths

Injured: Aidan Keenan, Peter Higgins, Lee Grace.

Doubtful: Gary Delaney, Danny Furlong.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: Jake Kelly (shoulder), Paddy Kavanagh (ankle), Jason Caffrey (ankle).

Doubtful: Dylan Hayes (calf).

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Aymen Ben Mohamed (international duty with Tunisia).