League Preview: Longford Town -v- Galway United

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town earned a much needed point last time out when they drew 2-2 with Sligo Rovers at home. A result that halted the Town’s four game losing streak.

Town did well to win the point as Sligo had taken the lead twice in the match, where goals from Rhys Gorman and recent acquisition from Fleetwood Town Eddie Dsane earned a share of the spoils.

Nonetheless Longford remain at the foot of the Airtricity Premier Division. 

Tony Cousins’ side have won just once this season, and  Cousins knows his squad have been cursed since the beginning of the season.

 "We've had a lot of problems.  Two weeks before the season began, (Rhys) Gorman broke his ankle while Lee Duffy also tore his ligaments in training. We had three players sent-off in the first five league games and it just seemed to be all our experienced players,"  Cousins told ExtraTime.ie.

Longford last seen a league victory at the City Calling Stadium on October 30th 2015 against Derry City when Town won 4-2.

A win over Galway will put Longford on 12 points and a good finish to the season is needed for the Midlands side to avoid the drop.

GALWAY UNITED

Galway travel across the M6 on the back of a 4-2 home win over Wexford Youths. Two goals from Vinny Faherty and one a piece from Gary Shanahan and Ryan Connolly were enough for the three points, which left United in fifth place on 26 points in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table.

The Tribesmen have won three times on the road so far this season with victories over Bray Wanderers, Wexford Youths and St. Patrick's Athletic.

Manager Tommy Dunne added to his squad recently by bringing in 20 year-old goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom from Tranmere Rovers and also securing Spanish midfielder Jose Garcia from Salthill Devon.

Depending on results, Galway could find themselves pushing for Europe in the coming months.  They play Europe chasing Derry City and Shamrock Rovers away during the month of September and after picking up a win in the capital over St. Patrick's Athletic plus drawing against Bohemians earlier on in the season, they won't fear another trip to Dublin.

Referee:  Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

The result was 2-2 when the sides last met in Eamonn Deacy Park on April 29th 2016. Galway United went into a two goal lead when Vinny Faherty and Enda Curran scored. However, Longford managed to tie the match, their first coming from a Josh O'Hanlon header and the equaliser was an own goal by United keeper Conor Winn on that occasion.

Vinny Faherty has scored ten goals for Galway so far this season making him current top scorer for The Tribesmen.

Galway United midfielder Ryan Connolly spent a loan spell at Longford Town during 2013.

BETTING

Longford Town 4/1; Draw 27/10; Galway United 8/13.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 1 – 2 Galway United

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended:  Kevin O'Connor.

Galway United

Injured:  Jesse Deavers (Broken Hand).

Doubtful: Marc Ludden (groin) , Alex Byrne (groin).

Suspended: None.