League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Galway United

Wexford Youths entertain Galway United at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday evening with an 8pm kick off. The Youths must be aware that an escape is unlikely as Finn Harps’ draw with St Patricks Athletic during the week leaves them 9 points adrift of the Donegal outfit with four games remaining.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Shane Keegan’s troops have spent much of the season occupying a relegation place. Having picked up just one point from their least seven outings, avoiding the drop automatically may now be the club’s biggest concern as they lie only 6 points clear of basement club Longford with four games remaining. The Wexford manager recognised this when speaking to the club website ahead of last week’s clash with St. Pats at Richmond Park, "We are also still very much aware that we need to keep Longford at arm's length too,” said Keegan.

However, Keegan will have targeted the visit of manager-less Galway United as a massive chance to pick up a vital 3 points. The Warriors have conceded far too many goals this season and were hoping the introduction of Wexford GAA star Lee Chin would provide some much needed steel. However, a 3-1 home defeat to Bray followed by a 4-1 defeat by EA Sports Cup winners St. Patricks Athletic has signalled minimal improvement on that front.

The departure of five players last week including experienced duo Danny Ledwith and Stephan Last was a bitter blow to the club. Wexford’s leading scorer is Paul Murphy with five goals and although many different players have chipped in throughout the year, the lack of a regular goal scorer coupled with a leaky defence, means the home side have a lot of work to do to retain their Premier Division status for the 2017 season. Wexford’s poor record against Galway this year will not inspire the home faithful with a lot of confidence.

GALWAY UNITED

The second half of the season at Eamon Deacy Park has been very disappointing, considering that Galway spent much of the early part of the season in the top four places in the league. The introduction of Leo Tierney and Gary O’Connor as caretaker managers has had a mixed effect. Galway defeated Finn Harps but were comprehensively beaten in a lifeless display at home to Cork City in their last fixture.

The joint management team are looking for a positive reaction to last week’s drubbing. When speaking to the club’s official website, Leo Tierney said, “We’re looking for a reaction from the players to put that right and there’s no better place to go. It’s difficult in Wexford, but we have to go and put on a show. We have to turn up and we have to work hard. That’s the basics of it.

However, the Tribesmen’s task will not be made easier by the absence of influential midfielder and captain Ryan Connolly who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card last week. Furthermore, several first-team regulars such as Stephan Folan, Kevin Devaney and Enda Curran are doubtful for the clash. United will be looking to finish the season strongly having won only two of their last ten fixtures. Also, the club will be hoping that Vinny Faherty can maintain his impressive goal scoring record against Wexford this season. The Galway native has notched four goals in the previous two meetings.

Referee: Graham Kelly

MATCH STATS

This will be the third and final meeting between Wexford Youths and Galway United in the 2016 season. The Tribesmen have had the upper hand in the previous meetings with two victories. United won the first meeting at Ferrycarrig Park in April 2-0 thanks to a Vinny Faherty double.

In the return fixture at Eamon Deacy Park, Wexford took an early lead courtesy of a Shane Dunne goal but eventually succumbed to a 4-2 defeat.

Vinny Faherty has enjoyed success in this fixture this season, having bagged four goals in two games against the men from the east.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 12/5; Draw 12/5; Galway United Evens.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 2-2 Galway United

Wexford Youths

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Gary Delaney

Suspended: None

Galway United:

Injured: Jose Garcia

Doubtful: Marc Ludden, Enda Curran, Stephan Folan, Kevin Devaney

Suspended: Ryan Connolly