Wexford Youths -v- Longford Town

WEXFORD YOUTHS
Who would have thought this would be a top of the table clash come week three of the league, but Wexford Youths and Longford Town sit first and second in the First Division table as the only unbeaten sides after two rounds of matches.

Wexford didn’t appear to be on course for a dramatic start to the league campaign, their only competitive outing prior to league action being a 4-1 defeat to Shelbourne in the Leinster Senior Cup in early February. But their 6-0 trouncing of Waterford United on day one was followed up by a creditable 1-1 draw away to SD Galway last week.

Craig Wall and Eric Molloy missed out through injury at Terryland Park last Friday night and must be considered doubts for this fixture. But new Wexford boss Shane Keegan has no suspensions to hamper his selection against Longford Town.

"I think we are in for our biggest test so far", said Keegan. "I went to see them last Saturday night and they were very, very good going forward, so if we can come out of tomorrow night with another clean sheet you would have to be extremely happy! They have a good mix of younger and older heads, which gives them a bit of class and composure and that extra bit of experience that will serve them very well in this division".

LONGFORD TOWN
Tony Cousins will be without the injured trio of Jeff Flood, Niall O’Reilly and Craig Walsh, while Austin Skelly missed last weekend’s midlands derby win over Athlone Town and must be considered a doubt.

The Longford boss has no suspensions to worry about, however, and he will be looking for his men to make it three out of three at Ferrycarrig Park following wins away to Mervue United on opening night, and at home to Athlone Town last Saturday.

Longford did have their winning streak interrupted during the week when they went down 2-1 to Premier Division Bray Wanderers in the Leinster Senior Cup on Monday. But Cousins rested his central midfield trio of Gillespie, Salmon and Kirby in that game and also took the opportunity to re-introduce defender Des Hope to the side.

Referee: James McKell.

MATCH STATS
Wexford won just four points at home all last season and lost their first 12 home games on the spin. A positive result against Longford will see them match last year’s tally at the second time of asking.

Longford won all three of the league meetings between these sides last year. 

The Youths haven’t beaten Longford Town at Ferrycarrig Park since 27th March 2009, when goals from Gavin Doyle and David Miller earned them a 2-1 win. Brian McCarthy replied for Longford.

BETTING

Paddy Power Odds:  Wexford 5/2; Draw 9/4; Longford 10/11.

PREDICTION

Wexford face their toughest task yet but I fancy them to earn a draw against the Division leaders.  1-1

Wexford Injury News: Craig Wall, Eric Molloy.

Wexford Suspension News: None.

Longford Injury News: Jeff Flood, Niall O’Reilly, Craig Walsh.

Longford Suspension News: None.