League Preview: Wexford -v- Drogheda United

WEXFORD FC

Wexford will look to return to winning ways as they host Drogheda United in their first home league fixture of the season at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday.

Damien Locke's side began their season with a 1-0 win away to Cabinteely thanks to Sean Hurley's eighth minute goal.

Wexford then travelled to Longford but fell to a 3-0 defeat, falling behind on 36 minutes to a Chris Mulhall strike.

Longford wrapped the game up in the last ten minutes as Mulhall netted a second before Dylan McGlade scored Longford's third.

Wexford also faced Cobh Ramblers in the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday, at Ferrycarrig Park.

The tie finished 0-0 after 90 minutes and with neither side able to score in extra time, the game went to penalties where Cobh prevailed 8-7 from the spot.

Wexford have no suspensions and are expected to have a full squad to choose from with both Aaron O'Connor and Shane Barnes returning to be named on the bench midweek against Cobh.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United will be looking to become the only team to record back to back wins in their opening two First Division games.

Due to floodlight issues on the opening night of the season, Drogheda only got their season underway on Sunday as they easily brushed aside Athlone, winning 6-0 at United Park.

A brace from Mark Doyle, goals from Jake Hyland, Colm Deasy, Ciaran Kelly and an own goal by Martin Walshe gave a dominant Drogheda a deserved first league win under Tim Clancy.

“It was a very good performance. The first-half was a bit end-to-end but I felt we really asserted ourselves in the second-half and that was reflected in the score.

“I would say what probably pleased me the most was the shape of the side; they knew where to be and what to do both in and out of possession and that’s really promising this early on,” Clancy told the club’s official website.

Looking ahead to the Wexford game, despite Damien Locke's side losing 3-0 to Longford, their performance impressed Clancy.

“I thought the score was quite harsh on them. They acquitted themselves well on the ball and missed a number of chances as well as hitting the post. They’re a decent side and they’ll want to put on a performance in front of their own crowd,” Clancy said.

Drogheda have a full squad going into this game and that will be needed over the next few weeks with the Boynesiders playing four games in 11 days as they face Wexford, St. Mochta's (EA Sports Cup), Galway and Finn Harps.

“We are certainly not going to look ahead to any of the games next week. Wexford are a very capable team, as shown by their win over Cabinteely a couple of weeks ago.

“It will be a testing couple of weeks for the squad but we’re looking forward to it as we’ve been starved for games. Hopefully we’ll start it off on a positive note tomorrow,” Clancy told the club website.

Referee: Alan Carey

MATCH STATS

This is the first time the sides have played each other since the 2016 Promotion/Relegation play-off.

Wexford won the first leg of that play-off 2-0 in Ferrycarrig Park thanks to goal from now Galway United striker Danny Furlong and Lee Chin.

Drogheda won the second leg 3-0 at United Park to complete a dramatic comeback and earn promotion.

BETTING

Wexford FC 7/2; Draw 13/5; Drogheda United 4/6.

PREDICTION

Wexford FC 0-2 Drogheda United

Wexford FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.