Credit: Eoin Smith (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Wexford -v- Shelbourne
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Sep 22 2017
WEXFORD
Wexford will secure a seventh-place finish in the First Division when they host Shelbourne in their final home game of the season on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).
Damian Locke's side are a massive 15 points adrift of their opponents, who occupy sixth place, but a two-point advantage over bottom-placed Athlone Town is too close for comfort.
Last time out Locke's side fell to their fifth defeat of the season to south-east rivals Waterfoord, the Blues completing a clean sweep with a 3-0 win at Ferrycarrig.
It was a disappointing outcome for Wexford, who have become more difficult to beat as the season has gone on but found themselves two goals down at the break.
"It was a game where we just didn't play anywhere near as well as I know we can," he told the club's website.
"Saying that, Waterford ran out deserved winners. We always knew that to get something from the game we would have to be on top form, and unfortunately we weren't.
"[Shelbourne is] our last game of the season, so obviously we will want to sign off by giving our own fans something to cheer about.”
Mark Slater returns to the squad after serving a one-game ban for accumulating five yellow cards, so Locke has a full squad from which to choose.
SHELBOURNE
Shelbourne equalled their best result of the season at home to Athlone Town last week as they ran out easy 4-1 winners at Tolka Park.
Goals from Dayle Rooney, Sean Byrne, Dylan Grimes and Derek Prendergast saw Owen Heary's men stroll to victory over the league's worst side.
It was a carbon copy of the Reds' previous best scoreline, when they defeated Athlone 4-1 in Lissywollen in May.
Heary has an extensive injury list to deal with, however, as Aaron Ashe and Reece McEnteer have been joined on the sidelines by Byrne, Mark Hughes and Aidan Collins.
Referee: Alan Carey.
MATCH STATS
Wexford and Shelbourne have met three times in the league this season with Damian Locke's side winning out on two occasions to Shels' one.
Shelbourne are the only team against which Wexford have a positive record in the league this season.
The first meeting of the sides in Tolka Park saw Shels win out thanks to goals from Derek Prendergast and Dayle Rooney.
Thomas Croke's early goal gave Wexford victory in the return game at Ferrycarrig Park, and Croke was on the scoresheet again as Wexford won 2-1 at Tolka in July.
The sides also met in pre-season in the Leinster Senior Cup where goals from James English and Dayle Rooney helped the Reds to a 4-2 victory.
BETTING
Wexford 16/5; Draw 12/5; Shelbourne 5/6.
PREDICTION
Wexford 1 – 2 Shelbourne
Wexford
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Shelbourne
Injured: Aaron Ashe, Sean Byrne, Aidan Collins, Mark Hughes, Reece McEnteer.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
