League Preview: Galway United - V - Longford Town

• Thomas Sargent
• Fri, Oct 21 2016




GALWAY UNITED

Galway United welcome Longford Town to Eamonn Deacy park tonight in an end of season game between two sides from the bottom half of the table.

 

Galway United will be happy with another season secured in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Their opponents tonight are already relegated making tonight’s tie somewhat of a dead rubber match.

 

Galway, true to last season’s form, score and concede plenty of goals. With 43 for and 50 against, you’re never too far from excitement watching the Tribesmen. Top scorer Vinny Faherty will be looking to add to his 12 goals in Galway’s final home game of the season.

 

Assistant manager Leo Tierney demands one final performance at home. He told galwayunitedfc.ie, “We know it’s our last home game of the season, the players want to put in a performance.

 

“Longford Town won’t be easy, we haven’t beaten them this season. They’re a good group of players despite their results. We feel we’re due a good performance.

 

“Recent performances aren’t a true reflection on these players. Most of those goals we’ve conceded were individual errors, which is unlike the players.

 

“We’re fourth highest goal scorers in the league, but over the last couple of weeks the goals against tally has gone against us.

 

“If we can cut out the individual errors, we should be able to get a positive result against Longford.”

 

Returning to the Galweigan’s squad are Ryan Connolly and José Garcia from suspension and injury, respectively. Meanwhile Marc Ludden and Enda Curran will sit out the final home game due to injuries picked up versus Wexford Youths. Youngster Jesse Devers won’t be risked as Galway United U19s have a cup final against UCD at this Saturday.

 

LONGFORD TOWN

Already relegated Longford trudge up to Galway with their minds seemingly already elsewhere. To cap off a bad season, they’ve lost the last four matches on the bounce.

 

Goals should be expected tonight as Longford’s goals against column reads 67 whilst their goals for only stands at 23, but Galway have been sloppy at the back of late.

 

Two years in the top flight has been a good run for the Midlanders, but this season has been tough. Zero wins at home makes grim viewing the City Calling Stadium faithful.

 

Manager Alan Mathews told ltfc.ie on tonight’s game, “We go into the game with doubts over Don Cowan and Noel Haverty and also Kaleen Simon who was ill on Monday and missed the Dundalk game.”

 

This is our third game in seven days and has taken its toll on our squad. But we have to put the disappointment of the result on Monday behind us and focus on getting the right result in Galway. We go there in a positive frame of mind as we really want to finish our away campaign with a victory.”

 

No doubt Mathews is looking to build for next year and Longford have installed steady hands to try and steer them back to the Premier Division.

 

Referee: Robert Rogers

 

MATCH STATS

A total of 33 goals have been scored in Galway’s last six encounters, with Galway only scoring 12 of those.

 

The two previous league meetings between the sides this season ended in draws.

 

In their last five matches Longford have scored eight and scored only .

 

BETTING

Galway United 7/10; Draw 13/5; Longford Town 7/2.

 

PREDICTION

Galway United 3-1 Longford Town

 

Galway United

Injured: Marc Ludden and Enda Curran.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Don Cowan, Noel Haverty and Kaleen Simon.

Suspended: None.