League Preview: Galway United -v- Wexford

• Paul Corcoran
• Thu, May 13 2021




GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen will be looking for just their second win of the season when they host Wexford at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Despite getting their first win of the campaign away to Cobh Ramblers two weeks ago, last Friday night’s loss to Bray Wanderers was a bitter pill to swallow for John Caulfield’s side.

United went behind early on with the concession of a soft goal after Brandon Kavanagh found Joe Doyle in the box.

The home side battled back and drew level after a well worked goal that saw Ruairí Keating net his fourth goal of the season.

Galway could have won the game several times but failed to take their opportunities and then disaster struck in injury time as second half substitute Gary Shaw rose to head the ball into the net to give the visitors the victory.

Caulfield will be hoping that his side can bounce back and arrest an awful stretch of home form against a struggling Wexford this weekend.

“Last Friday showed how every week the games are so tough. We were very disappointed with the late goal but we have an opportunity with another home game to put it right,” Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“While there was disappointment, that is last week, it is over and done with.

“You focus on the next game, we have been training hard all week, and we are looking forward to a tough game against Wexford.

“If you look back to three weeks ago in their first four matches, Wexford got beaten by the odd goal by Shelbourne, Cabinteely, and Cobh. Then all of a sudden they were unlucky in Athlone when Athlone got two very late goals.

“Until the last two weeks the results had been quite tight, but in the last few weeks, things haven’t gone right for them. They have a certain number of players who have been around the league and are good players.

“For us, it is about trying to make sure we start on the front foot as we did against Cobh a few weeks ago, that we start the game right.

“If we do that I think we will win the match. If we start slow like we did last weekend then you are putting yourself in trouble. I keep saying that you have no easy games.

“It is about trying to get consistency; we need to win the match. Even though it is early days I still believe that we have an excellent team.

“I believe they are a great bunch of guys, and we have lots to work on.”

The Tribesmen are still without Francely Lomboto and Conor O’Keeffe, while Ronan Manning and Shane Doherty are also absent due to injury.

WEXFORD

It’s been a torrid season for Wexford so far in 2021 with seven losses to their name at this point of the season.

This culminated in the departure of manager Brian O’Sullivan this week after nearly three years at the club.

Tom O’Connor has taken over as interim first team manager while a permanent replacement is appointed and he will be assisted by Jason Goodison and Colin Gregan.

Last time out the side faced Cork City and the game was wrapped up by half time when the Rebels raced into a 3-0 lead by the 28^th minute.

Cork added two more in the second half to run out 5-0 winners.

Wexford will be looking to turn this run of form around as soon as possible but with a poor record against Friday night’s opponents they might have to settle for another week without a win.

For their visit to Galway Success Edogun, Cameron Power are unavailable due to injury while Anto Dolan is continuing his continuing to work his way back to fitness.

The visitors will be boosted by the return of goalkeepers Jimmy Corcoran and Sean Martin from suspension after the pair were sent off during their game against UCD.

Referee: Robert Dowling

MATCH STATS

Wexford have lost all seven of their First Division games this season.

Galway United were last beaten by Wexford on Friday, 14 October 2016 at Ferrycarrig Park in a bizarre game that finished 5-4. Youths took a five goal lead in the game before Galway got back to within a goal.

Wexford have never won a game at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The Tribesmen are on an abysmal run of home form having failed to win at Eamonn Deacy Park in all seven of their last games on the Dyke Road. Galway’s last home win actually came against Wexford when they ran out 1-0 winners last September thanks to an Enda Curran goal.

BETTING

Galway United 1/7; Draw 5/1; Wexford 12/1.

PREDICTION

Galway United 2–0 Wexford

Galway United

Injured: Francely Lomboto, Conor O’Keeffe, Shane Doherty, Ronan Manning.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: Success Edogun, Cameron Power, Anto Dolan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.