EA Sports Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Longford Town

• Dave Donnelly
• Tue, Apr 07 2015




BOHEMIANS

Bohemians enter the first of two consecutive home ties against Longford Town in rude form, having travelled to Drogheda on Good Friday and emerged with a one-goal win despite having defender Derek Prendergast controversially sent off early on.

 

The win in Drogheda brought Keith Long's side to within three points of league leaders Dundalk – the only team to beat Bohs so far this year – a position few could have predicted when Owen Heary left for Sligo and took with him several key figures from the 2014 squad, including Eoin Wearen and top scorer Dinny Corcoran.

 

Bohs also performed well against Dundalk after being reduced to ten men and, while Keith Long hasn't said he's ready to adopt playing a man short as a permanent strategy, he hasn't specifically ruled it out either. With the squad likely to be rotated ahead of the league game on Friday, though, the depth of his squad may well be tested against a strong Longford squad.

 

LONGFORD TOWN

That Longford Town were disappointed to only take a point from Saturday's evening's game with St Patrick's Athletic says a lot about how seamlessly Tony Cousin's side have adapted to life back in the top division.

 

Since losing their opening two games to the champions and Shamrock Rovers respectively, Longford have won two and drawn two and may consider themselves unlucky not to have won all four, particularly after having led Pats 2-0 after 15 minutes, as Cousins' bravery in starting with three strikers has been rewarded on the scoreboard.

 

The loss of lightning quick Don Cowan – who has been a revelation since being restored to the side – to a serious looking knee injury could prove telling, but his absence could prove a boon for winger Ayman Ben Mohamed, who has impressed in his short cameos for the club since making the move from UCD in the winter.

 

Referee: David McKeon

 

 

MATCH STATS

Bohemians and Longford last met at the same stage of last year's EA Sports Cup, with goals from Dinny Corcoran and Daniel Byrne helping Bohs to a 2-0 victory at City Calling Stadium. 

 

Bohemians were 3-0 victors over Keith Long's former employers Athlone Town in round one, with a brace from Marc Griffin and a third from Jake Hyland securing easy passage for the Gypsies. Bohemians made the semi-finals of last year's EA Sports Cup before being beaten 2-0 by rivals Shamrock Rovers.

 

Longford received a bye to the second round of this year’s competition. 

 

 

BETTING

Bohemians 5/6, Longford Town 3/1, Draw 9/4.

 

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-0 Longford Town

 

 

Bohemians

Injured: Daniel Byrne (knee).
Doubtful:  Dave Mulcahy (calf)
Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Don Cowan.
Suspended: Pat Flynn.