Credit:
Salthill Devon -v- Longford Town
- P.J. Murray
- Fri, Jul 15 2011
Longford Town travel to bottom of the table Salthill Devon on Saturday night as Tony Cousins’ side look to take another three points and move closer to the play-off positions. (Kick off, 7pm)
De Town come into this game on the back of a battling 3-2 win over Finn Harps at Flancare Park last weekend but their recent form has been somewhat erratic, seeing them only collect seven points from a possible 15 in their last five league matches. However, their opponents, the whipping boys of the second tier, are in a far more precarious position having only picked up six points all season.
Salthill went down by the narrow margin of 1-0 against Cork City last week down at Turners Cross. The Galway side have struggled seriously this season but their commitment isn’t lacking. They are locked in a battle with Wexford Youths to avoid automatic relegation and will need no incentive to try and take the points on offer against Longford.
Longford are due to be without the suspended Mark Salmon. The midfielder was dismissed after he scored a brace in last week’s win over Finn Harps and will be a big loss to Longford. Salthill will also be without Mike Quirke who was awarded an additional one match ban after picking up his second red card of the season.
On the injury front Longford have several concerns. Niall O’Reilly is out with a groin injury while Austin Skelly needed stitches in a head wound picked up in a midweek friendly with Millwall. However he should still be included in the squad. Cousins is also boosted by the return of Michael Lee, the defender is making his return from a long injury and has been slowly working his way back into the starting XI.
Salthill have failed to score in their last three games, conceding nine goals in the process, their last goals came in a 5-2 defeat at home to promotion chasing Monaghan United.
Salthill Devon
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Mike Quirke.
Longford Town
Injured: Niall O’Reilly.
Doubtful: Austin Skelly.
Suspended: Mark Salmon.
Referee: Keith Callanan.
Paddy Power Odds: Salthill 6/1, Draw 15/5, Longford 4/9.
Extratime prediction: A comfortable 3-0 for Longford.
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.