Longford Town -v- Shelbourne

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Aug 13 2011


Shelbourne travel to Longford Town on Saturday evening knowing that three points will go a long way in their battle to secure the Airtricity First Division title and automatic promotion to the top tier. (Kick off, 7.30pm)

Having carved out a seemingly unassailable ten point lead at the top of the table Shels went to Turners Cross last weekend and found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-1 hammering. With their lead reduced to seven points and their cloak of invincibility somewhat tarnished the possibility of a surprise ending to the First Division season suddenly appeared possible.

But on Friday night Cork City again proved themselves architects of fate by twice throwing away the lead against Wexford Youths, ending up with a 2-2 draw that handed Shelbourne a potential nine point lead (with nine matches left to play) should they do the business against Longford.

Up until their defeat against Cork Shelbourne were on a run of nine straight wins. During this period they conceded only two goals and scored an impressive 20. In fact, the Reds have dropped points to just three teams - Limerick, Monaghan and Cork - and have only been beaten twice.

Longford, on the other hand, have fallen away somewhat after an impressive start to the league campaign. Up until early May Tony Cousin’s men stood fourth in the table but a run of only one win in eight games saw them slip down the pecking order.

More recently Longford have recorded two wins from their last three outings, beating Finn Harps and Salthill Devon. But in eight games against the top four they have managed just a single point, from a 1-1 away draw with Cork City.

Longford Town
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gary Cronin.

Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Phil Caschera.
Paddy Power Odds: Longford 6/1; Draw 11/4; Shelbourne 4/9.
Extratime prediction: Shels to do the necessary and win 2-0.