League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Longford Town

A mid-table SSE Airtricity League First Division game sees managerless Longford Town travel to Shelbourne. Kick-off at the Drumcondra venue is 7:45pm.

SHELBOURNE

Shels come into this game in the most dismal of form. A 2-1 win against Athlone at Tolka Park three weeks ago was sandwiched between five losses, with two on the bounce at the moment.

Last week at home to Cabinteely in a Dublin derby, they were hammered 1-4 by the South Dublin club. Shels’ striker James English equalised after Cabo’s Joe Doyle gave his side an early lead., Cabo’s first win against the Reds.

Ex-Shelbourne man Conor Keely restored order in the first half. An own goal by Alan Byrne and an added time goal by Christian Lotefa confirmed the trashing, which in turn condemned the Drumcondra club to their fifth defeat in six.

Following Longford’s win against Wexford, and Shels’ defeat, they leap-frogged the North Dublin club and are in 5th position in the league on 16 points. Shelbourne are one point behind them in sixth position. Longford’s goal stats are 15 for and 13 against, whereas Shelbourne have scored 14 and conceded 20. 

Derek Prendergast returns from suspension this week, however Dylan Kavanagh remains on the injured list, with Aidan Collins and Chris Lyons both rated as doubtful. 

Goals need to be scored if they have any aspirations of jumping up the league table, it is as simple as that. As well as tightening up the backline.

 

LONGFORD TOWN

What a week for the Midlanders! Boss Alan Mathews mutually left the club (read here), straight after the club’s biggest win of the season.

Goals at the City Calling Stadium on Saturday night from Dylan McGlade, Kevin O’Connor, Kealan Dillon and a brace of goals from Dean Zambra conjured up their first win in their last four.

In fact, last week’s game was the first time they scored in four games. A problem this season for Longford has been the lack of goals as until last week, and they have already had nine goalless games in the league this season.

That statistic needs changing if they have any aspirations of improving their position and to go up the table at the same time.

Longford are still without the services of talisman David O’Sulllivan and winger Don Cowan, while Cody Mulhall,Enda Curran and Mark Langtry all remain doubtful. A positive however as defender Noel Haverty made his return last week against Wexford, coming on as a sub in the last 10 minutes of the game.

A win over Shels would see Longford on 19 points, just 1 point behind 4^th placed Cabinteely (if they lose to UCD).

The squad and caretaker boss Gary Cronin will be confident going in to Friday night’s game after last week’s result. It is the last game before the two week mid-season break from the league and the club will be hoping that they can go into the break on a high, come back refreshed and get back up the table.

Referee: Jamie Robinson (IFA)

MATCH FACTS

The sides have met twice this season. A 0-0 draw at Tolka on the opening night and a 3-1 Longford at City Calling Stadium in Gameweek 8.

Both sides have only scored 29 goals between them this season. And it’s near identical too- De Town have 15 and Shels have 14.

Longford are tight defensively though- only 13 conceded.

Shelbourne's last five league results: LLWLL

Longford's last five league results: WLLDW

James English of Shelbourne is the club’s top scorer, with eight goals- although five of them where in the Leinster Senior Cup.

There were no league games between the sides last season, as Longford were playing in the Premier Division. 

BETTING

Shelbourne 6/4; Draw 5/2; Longford Town 6/4

PREDICTION

Shelbourne 1-1 Longford Town

Shelbourne

Injured: Dylan Kavanagh

Doubtful: Aidan Collins, Chris Lyons

Suspended: None

Longford Town

Injured: David O’Sullivan, Don Cowan

Doubtful: Cody Mulhall, Enda Curran, Mark Langtry

Suspended: None