FAI Cup Preview: Wexford -v- Crumlin United

WEXFORD

Wexford welcome Leinster Senior League opposition Crumlin United to Ferrycarrig Park On Friday night as they look to rediscover their promising midseason form (kick-off 8pm).

Damian Locke's side arrested a run of two straight defeats with a draw at Athlone Town last Friday, but they remain frustrated, a point behind Athlone at the foot of the First Division.

So the prospect of facing non-league opposition should prove a welcome opportunity to advance a round in the cup and bring some much-needed cheer to the county.

Locke summed up the mood within the camp, however, when he stated that all of the pressure is on his side to win, which makes Crumlin dangerous opponents.

“They will play as if they have nothing to lose, with all of the expectation on us to win,” he told the club's media team.

“I’ve said it many times that teams that are continuously competing for LSL and MSL titles are more than good enough to compete with First Division teams.

“We’ve approached training like every other week. They will get all the respect they deserve on Friday night.”

Defender AJ Lehan added: “Crumlin will come to Ferrycarrig confident, and looking to get one over on us. They’ll definitely give us as tough a game as we have faced at any stage this season.”

Locke will have captain Craig McCabe available again after he recovered from injury but will be without Shane Dunne as he's departed to Taipei with the Irish University Games squad.

CRUMLIN UNITED

The Leinster Senior League season may be yet to kick off but the 2013/14 Senior Sunday champions have had plenty of cup action to keep them occupied in pre-season.

Their Tommy Clements Cup progress came to a halt on Tuesday evening as a second-string side fell to a 7-0 defeat to defending champions Hardwicke.

However they topped their group with striker Jake Donnelly leading the scoring charts with four and ex-Shamrock Rovers defender Curtis Murphy on two.

Donnelly had been subject to League of Ireland interest over the summer break and will be a key player for the side from the projects of South Dublin as they look to unlock Wexford.

There's plenty of League of Ireland experience in the ranks already with former Derry City striker Conor Murphy and ex-UCD defender Sean Harding first-team regulars.

The LSL off-season saw talismanic former captain James Lee leave for Lucan United, but manager Martin Loughran has managed to capture former Shelbourne man Craig Walsh as a more than able replacement.

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

MATCH STATS

Wexford's two cup games this season have seen them ship heavy defeats to First Division opposition in Shelbourne and Waterford.

Damian Locke's side were knocked out of the Leinster Senior Cup by Shels at Tolka Park in February as they went down 4-2 to Owen Heary's Reds.

And a late flurry of goals put the gloss on a 5-0 win for Alan Reynolds' Waterford in the EA Sports Cup game at the RSC.

BETTING

Wexford 11/10; Draw 5/2; Crumlin United 15/8.

PREDICTION

Wexford 0 – 1 Crumlin United

Wexford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Shane Dunne (University Games).

Crumlin United

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.