League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cobh Ramblers

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town face yet another mammoth task in the First Division as they look to bounce back following their catastrophic seven-nil defeat against Shelbourne last time out with a win over Stephen Henderson’s Cobh Ramblers side at the Athlone Town Stadium (Kick-Off is at 7.45pm).

It will be interesting to see how Aaron Callaghan’s side react to their mauling at Tolka Park last weekend as that result saw them fall a further point away from Wexford FC who lie closest to them in the table. 

As usual, Athlone Town have not provided team news for their home clash against Stephen Henderson’s “Rams” but it is expected that defender Josh Hogan will miss out as he suffered a painful looking foot injury against Shelbourne last weekend.

A big performance from the “Town” is needed if they are to stand any chance of coming out of the game with anything, but the managerial duo of Aaron Callaghan and Terry Butcher will be hoping that their rather limited side can take courage from their last home league game which saw them hang on for a point against Ollie Horgan’s Finn Harps.

COBH RAMBLERS

In a season of very long road trips for Stephen Henderson and his Cobh Ramblers side, the “Rams” make the long trip up to the Midlands as they face an Athlone Town challenge in which they are expected to sail past with flying colours.

However, Ramblers boss Stephen Henderson is wary of the difficulties that can arise should they treat this game disrespectfully and he is looking for his side maintain their high standards of recent weeks.

"We are expecting a very tough game from a team who have shown if you underestimate them they can cause you problems as UCD and Finn Harps found out.

“We picked up a great result in the EA Sports Cup against good Premier opposition so the task for us is to continue our improvements and not think we have arrived because of one good result.

“If our lads apply high standards for themselves in this game then we have a great chance of winning, if they don't we will be in trouble. We are unbeaten in our last two games, so it would be great if we could extend that and go on a proper run which we are well capable of.”

“Hendo” also has some injury issues to contend with as Pierce Phillips is a doubt after picking up a knock against Limerick in the EA Sports Cup while John Dineen and Craig Donnellan will miss out on the big trip up to the Midlands for the St Colman’s Park outfit.

Referee: Garvin Taggart

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town are in the midst of a rather dreadful run of form at the moment as they have failed to pick up a win in over ten competitive matches. That rather embarrassing run stretches all the from August of last year.

Cobh Ramblers are also in the midst of a poor league run as well as they have failed to win any of their last 4 matches in the First Division with their last win coming in a heroic one-nil at Stradbrook against Cabinteely.

The last league game between the pair saw Cobh come out on top in a dramatic one-nil win at the Athlone Town Stadium as a Cian Coleman strike spared the blushes of Stephen Henderson at the tail-end of last season.  

BETTING

Athlone Town 12/1; Draw 5/1; Cobh Ramblers 1/7 

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0-3 Cobh Ramblers

Athlone Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: John Dineen, Craig Donnellan

Doubtful: Pierce Phillips

Suspended: None