Longford Town -v- Salthill Devon
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Having finally broken their Finn Park hoodoo last weekend, Longford Town will be hoping to make it three wins in a row when they welcome bottom side Salthill Devon to Flancare Park on Saturday night. (Kick-off 7.30pm)
Last weekend’s result in Donegal was the Town’s first league win up there since the ‘92/’93 season. They dominated the first half and went in at the break 2-0 in front but Harps were a different proposition in the second half. Marc Brolly pulled a goal back one minute after the restart and it was backs to the wall stuff for the Town as they held out for a fine 2-1 win.
Salthill Devon come into this game on the back of a 5-1 drubbing by Cork City last Friday afternoon. Salthill started off well but conceded two goals in the last five minutes of the first half and after that it was always going to be an uphill battle for them.
Both sides have had contrasting starts to the season. Salthill are languishing at the bottom of table, yet to taste victory this season, and have picked up just two points in their opening seven games.
Longford Town, on the other hand, have been in fine form. Back to back victories against Waterford Utd and Finn Harps have seen the midlanders climb to 4th in the table. And they will want to maintain pressure on the teams above them with a win over Salthill.
However, Tony Cousins’ charges will be wary of the Galway side. On their last visit to Flancare Park (last August) they came away with a point in a 2-2 draw. Town will not want a repeat of that performance or of the result.
Defender Niall O’Reilly has been declared fit for the game despite picking up an ankle injury in the win in Ballybofey last Friday night. However Michael Lee and Graham Dowling remain out.
Longford Town
Injured: Michael Lee (groin), Graham Dowling (knee)
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Salthill Devon
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Mike Quirke.
Referee: Jim McKell.
Paddy Power Odds: Longford 1/5; Draw 9/2; Salthill 10/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Longford Town.
Last weekend’s result in Donegal was the Town’s first league win up there since the ‘92/’93 season. They dominated the first half and went in at the break 2-0 in front but Harps were a different proposition in the second half. Marc Brolly pulled a goal back one minute after the restart and it was backs to the wall stuff for the Town as they held out for a fine 2-1 win.
Salthill Devon come into this game on the back of a 5-1 drubbing by Cork City last Friday afternoon. Salthill started off well but conceded two goals in the last five minutes of the first half and after that it was always going to be an uphill battle for them.
Both sides have had contrasting starts to the season. Salthill are languishing at the bottom of table, yet to taste victory this season, and have picked up just two points in their opening seven games.
Longford Town, on the other hand, have been in fine form. Back to back victories against Waterford Utd and Finn Harps have seen the midlanders climb to 4th in the table. And they will want to maintain pressure on the teams above them with a win over Salthill.
However, Tony Cousins’ charges will be wary of the Galway side. On their last visit to Flancare Park (last August) they came away with a point in a 2-2 draw. Town will not want a repeat of that performance or of the result.
Defender Niall O’Reilly has been declared fit for the game despite picking up an ankle injury in the win in Ballybofey last Friday night. However Michael Lee and Graham Dowling remain out.
Longford Town
Injured: Michael Lee (groin), Graham Dowling (knee)
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Salthill Devon
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Mike Quirke.
Referee: Jim McKell.
Paddy Power Odds: Longford 1/5; Draw 9/2; Salthill 10/1.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Longford Town.
