League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Wexford Youths

• John O'Shea
• Sat, Jul 11 2015




COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will be seeking to maintain their good run of form, when they host First Division leaders Wexford Youths on Saturday evening.   

 

Cobh come  in to this game on the back of an impressive  4-1 win away to Athlone Town. That was their first away league win in the League of Ireland since September 2008. The result was a testament of the great work that Stephen Henderson has done with the squad since he returned as the manager.

 

All of the hard effort which is being put in at the St. Coleman’s Park club is now being reflected with some positive results. Ramblers are currently in sixth position on 20 points from 16 games played.

 

With Wexford being one of the in-form sides in the division, the game could possibly be used as a measurement of how far Cobh are away from being a side competing for promotion. On the basis of what we have seen from Ramblers in recent weeks, a return to the Premier Division could come sooner rather than later.

 

Cobh are missing Andrew Bhandarkar, Jonathan Creamer and Chris McCarthy through injuries.

 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths, sitting at the top of the First Division table, come to visit Cobh on Saturday.  They are two points clear of their nearest challengers Finn Harps.

 

Shane Keegan’s side are quite good at finding the back of the net. In their 16 league games so far this season, they have scored 38 goals. That is more than any other side in the division and if they were to keep their good goal scoring record up, one gets the impression that they will be very close to the promotion places come the end of the season.

 

Last time out, Wexford recorded a moral boosting 4-0 in the South East Derby over Waterford United at Ferrycarrig Park.

 

A pair of goals from Danny Furlong and goals from John Peare and James Dermody were enough to record what was a massive victory and local bragging rights secured for the next few months.

 

Wexford will be without Stephen Last, Peter Higgins, Eric Molloy, Dean Broaders and Andy Mulligan, who are all representing Ireland at the World University Games in South Korea.

 

 

Referee:  Jim McKell

 

MATCH STATS 

Cobh are on a five match unbeaten run at the moment, with the last time they lost a game coming against Finn Harps in May.

 

Wexford have won 11 games in the First Division this season, more than any other side in the second tier of Irish football.

 

Wexford won the last meeting between the sides in Ferrycarrig Park earlier in the season. Centre-back Gary Delaney was the goal scorer for the Youths on the night.

 

 

BETTING   

Cobh Ramblers 31/10 ; Draw   11/4; Wexford Youths 5/6.

 

 

PREDICTION    

Cobh Ramblers  1-2 Wexford Youths

 

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured :  Andrew Bhandarkar, Jonathan Creamer and Chris McCarthy

Doubtful: None

Suspended:  None

 

Wexford Youths

Injured:   None

Doubtful: None

Suspended:  None

Unvailable:  Stephen Last, Peter Higgins, Eric Molloy, Dean Broaders and Andy Mulligan (All at World University Games)