Longford Town -v- Mervue United
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LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Finn Harps when they take on bottom side Mervue United.
The 3-1 defeat by Harps was Town’s first league defeat of the season. Despite the result they still remain top of the table but their lead has been cut to just one point.
In the first meeting of the season Town defeated Mervue 1-0; Gary Shaw with the goal. Mervue have always been stiff opposition for the Town and last season it was honours even with one win apiece and the other game ended in a draw.
Town still have injury problems for this game. Austin Skelly, Graham Dowling and Niall O’Reilly remain out while Karl Bermingham is rated as 50/50 by manager Tony Cousins. Goalkeeper Craig Hyland is suspended after being sent-off last weekend. Good news for the Town is that defender Des Hope returns to the squad.
Speaking to extratime.ie Town midfielder Alan Kirby admits his side need to bounce back from last weekend’s result. “There is a bit of character in the team and we need to bounce back. If we bounce back we will stay top and we would’ve taken that at the start. But there is a long way to go and we have to learn from our mistakes. Against Finn Harps we weren’t hungry enough.”
MERVUE UTD
Mervue United will be looking to start the second series of games with their first win of the season. They picked up their first point of the campaign just two weeks ago at home to Waterford United and followed that up last weekend with a 2-2 draw away to local rivals SD Galway.
Mervue have been a bit of a bogey team for the Town in recent years; on their last visit to Flancare Park they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
Martin Conneely (groin) and James Casserley (groin) remain out while Tom King suffered a set-back in training and has to rest for a few weeks. Stephen Walsh will serve the final match of his three match ban and Michael McSweeney is a doubt. Captain Mike Elwood returns to the squad after missing the last three games through suspension.
Manager Johnny Glynn wants his side to be up for the challenge against the Town. “Longford have had an excellent start to the season and are going well apart from last week’s first defeat, which they will no doubt want to bounce back from starting against us on Saturday night, so we will have to be up for the challenge.”
Referee: Kevin O’Regan
MATCH STATS
This game is being recorded by MUTV – the official television channel of Manchester United. They are doing a programme on ex United player and current Town midfielder Keith Gillespie.
Town have kept just one clean sheet this season. That was in the first game away to Mervue United.
Mervue’s Marc Ludden will set a new club record of 78 appearances if he features in the game. He is currently tied on 77 with ex player Rory Gaffney.
BETTING
Odds: Longford Town 4/11; Draw 10/3; Mervue United 13/2
PREDICTION
Longford Town to get back to winning ways with a 1-0 win.
Longford Town Injury News: Austin Skelly, Niall O’Reilly, Graham Dowling, Karl Bermingham 50/50.
Longford Town suspended: Craig Hyland
Mervue Utd Injury News: Tom King, Martin Conneely, James Casserley.
Mervue Utd suspended: Stephen Walsh
