Wexford Youths -v- Monaghan United
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Wexford Youths may struggle to bridge the gap to the top four but Mick Wallace's men could cement fifth place in the League of Ireland First Division this weekend if they can defeat Monaghan United at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm).
After last week’s second-half capitulation at home to a much-improved Kildare County, Wexford will be looking to recover and solidify their claim for fifth place with the business end of the season fast approaching. It looks increasingly like the South East side have fell short of the composure needed to get into the play-off spots for this season, but fifth in itself would show a great return from the team's developing, young squad. “We had a very bad night against Kildare, we never got going and we missed a few chances that could have made it a different game," Wallace said. "We have now lost to UCD and Kildare at home - we can’t afford to lose any more home games."
Wallace has some mixed issues to contend with this week as he has injuries, holidaying players and younger members of the squad absent. He will be without Tim McGrath, Kyle Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Marty Kelly, Paul Murphy and Keith Kearney through injury, while 'keeper Packie Holden will be sorely missed again if he fails to pass a late fitness test. Shane Sinnott, Martin Kehoe, Muzzi Mullan, Robert Vickers and the impressive Jimmy Keohane will all be away with the Youths U18 side who travel to play Cork City this weekend. Peter White is the other absentee, through holidays. However, left-back Johnny Flynn O’Connor should return after seeing red at home to Athlone four games ago to add experience to the side.
Monaghan had been well behind Limerick up to a few weeks ago but have recently made sixth place their own. A draw at home to Athlone last week followed a 2-0 win at Kildare and a defeat of Limerick. The list goes on, and throw a 5-1 demolition of Mervue into the mix and it does not look like Wexford will be looking forward to playing a team in great form. Manager Mick Cooke will hope his side can take advantage of the Youths' poor home form and close the five-point gap between the two sides. The Mons have improved since a stuttering start to the season and the Youths only have to look back to the hard fought draw between the two at Kingspan Century Park in the last game between the two to recognise how tough this match will be.
Speaking to Monaghanunited.ie in the lead up to the game, Cooke said “I am sure that Mick Wallace felt a bit bushwhacked after being caught by Kildare County, it was a rare defeat for Mick’s side and knowing the man he will know that the best way to get over such a result is to win your next game. Therefore I can anticipate what will be in store for us. Apart from Sean Brennan the rest of the injured players have recovered so I will have a strong panel to pick from.On present form I believe that we can again be successful and extend our good run, and football aside I always look for ward to travelling to Wexford and meeting up with one of the games gentlemen Mick Wallace.”
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-2. The form book dictates an away win, but with the Youths looking to recover from last week’s defeat, I’d bank on a rare draw, a score draw, but a draw none the less.
After last week’s second-half capitulation at home to a much-improved Kildare County, Wexford will be looking to recover and solidify their claim for fifth place with the business end of the season fast approaching. It looks increasingly like the South East side have fell short of the composure needed to get into the play-off spots for this season, but fifth in itself would show a great return from the team's developing, young squad. “We had a very bad night against Kildare, we never got going and we missed a few chances that could have made it a different game," Wallace said. "We have now lost to UCD and Kildare at home - we can’t afford to lose any more home games."
Wallace has some mixed issues to contend with this week as he has injuries, holidaying players and younger members of the squad absent. He will be without Tim McGrath, Kyle Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Marty Kelly, Paul Murphy and Keith Kearney through injury, while 'keeper Packie Holden will be sorely missed again if he fails to pass a late fitness test. Shane Sinnott, Martin Kehoe, Muzzi Mullan, Robert Vickers and the impressive Jimmy Keohane will all be away with the Youths U18 side who travel to play Cork City this weekend. Peter White is the other absentee, through holidays. However, left-back Johnny Flynn O’Connor should return after seeing red at home to Athlone four games ago to add experience to the side.
Monaghan had been well behind Limerick up to a few weeks ago but have recently made sixth place their own. A draw at home to Athlone last week followed a 2-0 win at Kildare and a defeat of Limerick. The list goes on, and throw a 5-1 demolition of Mervue into the mix and it does not look like Wexford will be looking forward to playing a team in great form. Manager Mick Cooke will hope his side can take advantage of the Youths' poor home form and close the five-point gap between the two sides. The Mons have improved since a stuttering start to the season and the Youths only have to look back to the hard fought draw between the two at Kingspan Century Park in the last game between the two to recognise how tough this match will be.
Speaking to Monaghanunited.ie in the lead up to the game, Cooke said “I am sure that Mick Wallace felt a bit bushwhacked after being caught by Kildare County, it was a rare defeat for Mick’s side and knowing the man he will know that the best way to get over such a result is to win your next game. Therefore I can anticipate what will be in store for us. Apart from Sean Brennan the rest of the injured players have recovered so I will have a strong panel to pick from.On present form I believe that we can again be successful and extend our good run, and football aside I always look for ward to travelling to Wexford and meeting up with one of the games gentlemen Mick Wallace.”
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-2. The form book dictates an away win, but with the Youths looking to recover from last week’s defeat, I’d bank on a rare draw, a score draw, but a draw none the less.
