League Preview: Longford Town -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Padraic Collins
• Sat, May 17 2014




LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town entertain bottom side Cobh Ramblers on Saturday night at the City Calling Stadium in the Airtricity League First Division. Kickoff is at 7.30pm.

 

A quick glance at the table and one would think Saturday’s home side are struggling this season, but on closer inspection Tony Cousins’ team have two games in hand which may come into play later in the season.

 

Last weekend’s game at home to Wexford Youths was postponed because of a water-logged pitch and thus, The Town haven’t’ played a competitive game for over ten days, and you would have to go back to mid April to find the last time Cousins’ team won in the league.

 

In between various cup games, a draw at home to Galway FC, and an away defeat to Shelbourne, make up Longford’s recent league form.

 

Longford Town will see Saturday’s game as a chance to get back among the pretenders for the league crown with a win against a team struggling for confidence and form.

 

COBH RAMBLERS

Unlike Longford’s deceptive position in the league, Saturday’s visitors are in fact struggling this season. The Rams are ticking all the wrong boxes and for the wrong reasons.

 

Martin Cambridge’s Cobh Ramblers have failed to win any of their nine league games played so far with only four goals scored, the worst attacking record in the league. Only two home draws have helped the Cork side get points on the board. 

 

And not forgetting they have conceded 21 goals in those nine games, Cobh are in real danger of becoming the new whipping boys of the first division as they are finding goals very hard to come by.

 

Last Saturday it was the meeting of the bottom two sides in the league, as Finn Harps came to St. Colman’s Park and it was the latter that came away with all three points with 0-2 win to heap even more misery on Cambridge and his young side.

 

The trip north into the midlands for Cobh involves a long day of travelling and the weary players will have to face a rested and eager Longford Town hell bent on getting back on track for promotion.

 

Referee: John McLoughlin

 

 

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers have yet to win a league game this season.

 

Longford Town’s David O’Sullivan was last season’s top scorer in the league.

 

The Rams have scored four goals in nine games, worst offensive record in the league.

 

 

BETTING

Longford Town 1/5; Draw 9/2; Cobh Ramblers 11/1

 

PREDICTION

Longford Town 3-0 Cobh Ramblers

 

 

Longford Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Chris Deans

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Robert Waters