Preview: Wexford Youths vs Shelbourne

On Friday the 4th of April, Wexford Youths welcome Shelbourne F.C to Ferrycarrig Park. The match kicks off at 8pm and it’s a huge match for both teams, but for very different reasons.

Wexford find themselves at the joint bottom of the table with only one point after four games, while Shels are sitting nicely in third place with seven points after four games. Shels need the win to keep the early pressure on Dundalk and Waterford, while the Youths are already logged in a relegation battle with Athlone and Kildare. Wexford manager Mick Wallace will know the implications if his team don’t get something from this game, even at such an early stage, but he will be optimistic, especially after some recent performances. Wexford fielded an inexperienced side against Cobh Ramblers in the cup last week and won 1-0 after extra-time and two days later weathered the storm against Dundalk and were very close to gaining a vital point, but they went down 2-1 in the end. While Shels got over their shock defeat to Monaghan and beat Athlone 2-0 at Tolka Park last Friday. It could have been much worse for Athlone as they found Dermot Keely’s men in exquisite form. Anthony Flood was the main man on that night as he got his season going with two goals.

Again, the ex-Shamrock Rovers man will be the one that Wexford will be hoping to keep at bay.

Wallace knows that a lack of goals could ruin his team’s season and unless they start scoring goals, because if not they will keep losing games, points and ultimately their league status. Wallace will be hoping to welcome back some of his attacking options to the squad. Johnny Flynn O’Connor has missed the last three games and really Wexford have missed his pace and crossing abilities. Also Wallace will be waiting anxiously on the fitness of Paul Murphy, who has missed the trip to Dundalk; he truly is Wexford’s main striker. Stuart Lawlor picked up a knock during the week, but should be fit, if not Anthony Rossiter or Joey Wadding will deputise.

Dermot Keely on the other hand has a selection problem, as Greg O’ Halloran is back from suspension and should slot into midfield, but at the expense of whom. David McGill and Mark O’Brien were both impressive against Athlone and it would it would be extremely harsh if any of them get dropped. Alan Byrne was sent off in their previous encounter, so the defender will now serve a suspension. Apart from those changes, Shels should line up practically the same as last week.

Shels will be odds on favourites to pick up the three points and the bookies have them at for the win at 10/11, with Wexford at clear outsiders at 5/2 and the draw at 9/4. Previous encounters between the two have been a lot closer than you would think, Shels have won one encounter, there has been two draws and on the last day of the season last year Wexford produced their best performance ever with a 3-1 victory at Tolka Park. Wallace will hope for a repeat performance, but with his side lacking the goal scoring touch, it will be hard to see.

As much as the odds are against Wexford, you can’t write them off, football is a crazy game and I wouldn’t be surprised if Wallace’s side got a point.