League Preview: Longford Town -v- Wexford FC

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town host Wexford FC in a mouthwatering clash at Bishopsgate on Saturday night with a 7.30pm kick off. With Waterford not playing this weekend and a defeat last night for Treaty United, both sides have a chance to pick up a valuable three points in their quest for promotion.

Gary Cronin’s Midlanders are on a three match winning streak and comfortably dispatched Bray Wanderers last weekend, courtesy of a Jordan Adeyemo brace and a penalty from Sam Verdon, to create a six point gap between themselves and Treaty United in fifth place.

Adeyemo’s arrival has added an extra element of firepower to the Town attack with the former Galway United and Drogheda United striker netting four times in his last three games for the club while skipper Sam Verdon has two in his past three.

At the other end of the pitch, Longford Town have kept nine clean sheets with six of these occurring at Bishopsgate where they have conceded 12 goals in 13 games and scored 16 times. 

WEXFORD FC

Following that Treaty United defeat to Athlone last night, a win tonight would allow Ian Ryan’s men to cut the gap on their rivals to one point in the race for the final play off position. 

Having drawn 2-2 at home to Cobh Ramblers last weekend, replicating the scoreline at Eamon Deacy Park the week before, the Slaneysiders will be eager to put a win on the board as they edge towards the business end of the season with the play offs in sight.

With 37 league goals, only Galway, Cork and Waterford have scored more than the Ferrycarrig Park natives this season. Indeed, Cork City are the only team to keep a clean sheet against Wexford in their past ten games.

Forward Conor Barry has netted three goals in his last four league games and also netted the winner against Longford Town earlier in the season- the Galwegian coming off the bench to break Longford hearts in the 93rd minute.

Referee: Alan Patchell

MATCH STATS

The last two meetings between the sides have seen late winners with the aforementioned Barry strike claiming all three points in Ferrycarrig Park in June. The May encounter between the sides in BIshopsgate was decided by an Adam Verdon goal in the 94th minute.

Enniscorthy native Aaron Dobbs played with Wexford on loan from Shamrock Rovers in 2018, before signing for Longford Town in 2019. He spent 2020 with Shelbourne before signing back with Longford Town for the 2021 campaign and is now back at Wexford for the 2022 season.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 2- 2 Wexford FC 

Longford Town 

Injured: Darren Craven

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None.

Wexford FC

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown 

Suspended: None