Preview: Cobh Ramblers vs Shamrock Rovers

Saturday night sees Cobh Ramblers play host to Shamrock Rovers at St Colemans. With Galway and UCD both loosing on Friday night Cobhs position going into the game hasn't really changed that much - out of the teams in the bottom half of the table only Bray and Sligo added to their point tallies - and both by just one point. Rovers on the other hand now find Cork and Drogheda level on points with them and Derry, St Pats and Bohemians all better off than they were. Both Ramblers and Rovers lost last weekend so both sides will be keen to get back on track at the earliest opportunity.

On Friday night at Tolka Park, Rovers found themselves unable to play to the same levels that they had for their previous four league games. They created a couple of half chances and stuck to the game plan of playing it around whenever possible, but ultimately could not breach a well organised Bohs defensive unit. Glen Crowe scored the games only goal after a mistake in the Rovers defence.

Pat Scully, speaking about the game and what went wrong for his side said - "We lacked concentration at crucial moments. Then we made a costly mistake that led to their goal and that cost us the game".

Cobh travelled to the not so sunny North West on Saturday to face a Sligo side who had yet to record their first win of the season. Although they took the lead after just two minutes they went on to loose by three goals to one - with each of the goals conceded being attributable to sloppy defending. Neither side played well in the first forty five but nonetheless over the course of the full ninety minutes Ramblers had more of the ball and were probably the better side - however to add to the poor defending they were also wasteful in front of goal.

Manager Henderson was far from impressed with his sides first half performance and defending. After the game he said " "I was disgusted with our first-half performance. Our passing of the ball was terrible and we conceded goals from two setpieces, I'll be blunt and say it was pure stupidity at times, and that is not acceptable."

Henderson has a couple of key players available again this weekend. Centre back Shane Guthrie is expected to return to the side after missing the Sligo game with an ankle injury. Kieran OReilly, so impressive against Cork, returns from suspension and will be looking to go straight back into the starting eleven. Kenny Coleman is still a doubt but will be assessed again on the day of the game - if fit he could well start at right back. Alan Carey is still ruled out. His experience will again be missed at the back, as will his set piece deliveries. After featuring in all but three games last season, Gareth Cambridge seems to have fallen out of favour somewhat. He has started just twice in the league so far.

Rovers remain without long term injury casualties Padraig Amond and Aidan Price - however the pair have finally returned to training recently. Young midfielder Chris Mulhall is still out with a knee problem and defender Pat Flynn is again suspended. Darragh Maguire has been suffering with a niggling back injury for the last number of weeks and so far has yet to be able to shake it - he is a slight doubt. Right back Ger OBrien is also a slight doubt after picking up a knock on his knee

Cobhs two points to date come from their two home games - draws with both Galway and Cork. To have any hope of steering clear of relegation their home form will have to be good and they will need to start winning some games. Performances away at Finn Harps and Drogheda have been encouraging but the results haven't followed. Many observers have felt that with a bit of luck they could have got something from both those games - and as stated already it was slack defending and poor finishing that pushed the Sligo game away from them.

With ten points Rovers will be reasonably satisfied with their start. Defeat against Bohs is always hard to take but other than that they have been the better side in each of their games. Away from home they have a maximum six points thanks to wins over Drogheda and Galway. Only Bohs and Cork have beaten keeper Barry Murphy so far and it wouldn't be a surprise if they were to end the season with the tightest defence.

Friday night saw five away wins from just eight games and the bookmakers have it about right when they price Rovers at around evens to continue their 100% away record and pick up three points. Cobh wont roll over and with the likes of Davin ONeill, Graham Cummins and Kieran OReilly in attack , are more than capable of getting a goal. Kevin Murray and Shane Guthrie are dangerous in the air and will test the Hoops defending at set pieces. Rovers will be expected to score a couple and will be looking to quickly put defeat to bitter rivals Bohs behind them. Cobh are unbeaten at home in the league in over thirteen months but Scully will be expecting his side to break that impressive record.

Kick off at St Colemans is 19.45.

Extratime.ie will bring you the starting line ups as soon as they are available and will also be keeping an eye out for any goals or major incidents.