League Preview: Galway United -v- Wexford

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Sep 18 2020




GALWAY UNITED

Galway United seek a fourth successive league win as John Caulfield’s 100% league record since taking the reins last month continues (kick-off 7.45pm).

A dramatic 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers II at Eamonn Deacy Park seven days ago saw the Tribesmen move within six points of the play-offs.

Kevin Farragher’s injury-time goal sunk the Hoops after Shane Duggan’s first-half goal had been cancelled out by Michael Leddy.

"The First Division is tight. Wexford have caused some teams really big problems and they were leading against Bray Wanderers with five minutes to go last week before conceding a few goals,” said Caulfield.

"Wexford have a few very attacking players in Jack Doherty, Kaleem Simon and Conor English.

"They create chances and score goals, we're aware of their threats, but we've had a full week of training to prepare and we have to deliver a top performance now.

"It's great to have supporters back in the stadium, it's not as many as we'd like, but it's still huge for us.

"We've done quite well in a short period of time, but we're just looking to take each game as it comes and we must be ready for each game, and we have to play to our strengths.

“There's no excuse, if we're not right or we're not concentrating on the Wexford game, then we will drop points."

Cian Murphy, Joshua Smith, Conor Melody and Micheál Schlingermann are injured, while Enda Curran and Maurice Nugent will undergo late fitness tests.

WEXFORD

Wexford will look to bounce back from the disappointment of a late, late reversal against Bray Wanderers last week as they visit Deacy Park.

Brian O’Sullivan’s side led as late as the 86^th minute through Karl Fitzsimon’s first-half strike, but conceded three goals late on.

Gary Shaw’s penalty was followed up a minute later by Sean McEvoy’s headed goal, before Darragh Lynch sealed a 3-1 win for Bray in injury time.

"I thought against Bray it was a positive performance for 85 minutes where defensively we were solid,” O’Sullivan told the club’s official website.

“I think we frustrated and didn’t give many chances up on the night.”

O’Sullivan was pleased with the performance of Waterford loanee Jack Larkin, but has lost Karl Manahan to injury, while Jack Doherty is also a doubt.

“Larkin recently recovered from a hamstring injury and played against Bray,” said O’Sullivan. 

“I thought he was excellent on the night and his range of passing is something we probably were missing all season, so it’s great to have him back as he is a really good player."

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

MATCH STATS

The sides’ first meeting this season, in early March, was the final league game before lockdown and saw a scoreless draw play out at Ferrycarrig Park.

Mikey Place and Francely Lomboto are Galway’s top league goalscorers with three apiece, while Kaleem Simon is Wexford’s top scorer with two.

BETTING

Galway United 1/8; Draw 5/1; Wexford 12/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2 – 0 Wexford

Galway United

Injured: Cian Murphy, Joshua Smith, Conor Melody, Micheál Schlingermann.

Doubtful: Enda Curran, Maurice Nugent.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: Conor English, Karl Manahan.

Doubtful: Jack Doherty.

Suspended: None.