League Preview: Longford Town -v- Cabinteely

LONGFORD TOWN

Looking to take advantage of Drogheda United’s slip up at home to champions-elect UCD, Neale Fenn’s in-form Longford Town host Cabinteely at City Calling Stadium on Saturday evening. (kick-off 7.30pm)

After crashing to a disappointing 6-1 defeat away to Shelbourne to cap off a miserable July for the Red and Black, August has seen De Town roar themselves back into playoff contention with four wins on the spin aiding their cause significantly. 

Two of those victories have come in the FAI Cup against Sligo Rovers and the previously mentioned Shelbourne. In terms of the league successes, wins against Athlone Town and Galway United have re-ignited De Town’s flickering promotion fire.

One man who has certainly impressed in recent games in the talented winger Dylan McGlade. Enjoying a renaissance under his new boss Neale Fenn, McGlade has shot up the goal-scoring charts with 11 goals to his name, while an additional goal is open for debate.

Last week’s defeat of Shelbourne was a superb team performance as Neale Fenn sang the praises of his side all week in the build up to Saturday evenings game at City Calling Stadium.

Fantastic defensive showings of grit and steel from Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Karl Chambers, Daniel O’Reilly and Shane Elworthy set the tone for the Red and Black as they eased their way past a sloppy Shels side.

In terms of team news for Longford Town, Sam Verdon, Dean Byrne and Jamie Hollywood all miss out through injury issues while defensive mainstay Michael McDonnell is set to return to the fold after missing last weeks cup win over the Reds.  

CABINTEELY

Hoping to build some much-needed momentum for their upcoming 2019 First Division campaign, Cabinteely make the brief trip to the midlands as they face Longford Town in a crunch clash on the Strokestown Road venue.

After an encouraging showing in their last league game and running Premier Division Limerick FC close last time out in the FAI Cup, Cabo will be full of confidence as they look to stun Neale Fenn’s Longford Town.

If it wasn’t for some slack defending at times, Cabinteely may very well have found themselves in an FAI Cup quarter-final for the first time in their brief League of Ireland history as elementary mistakes saw their cup run end at the Markets Field.

Pat Devlin will also take plenty of confidence from his sides previous showing against Longford Town as an energetic and game Cabo earned a fully-deserved win over their Midlands counterparts at Stradbrook from a Kevin Knight poke home.

Incidentally, Cabo were very unlucky not have got a point against De Town during their last visit to the City Calling Stadium as an inaccurate Cabinteely were punished for not taking their chances against the Midlander’s.

In terms of team news, Devlin has a full complement of players to choose from for his troops trip to the Midlands except for captain Kevin Knight who must serve a suspension after his red card against Drogheda United. 

Referee: Michael Connolly.

MATCH STATS

In the six competitive meetings between Cabo and Longford Town in the First Division, the losing side has never scored a goal in their defeats.

Cabinteely’s last trip to the Midlands saw them grab a win away to Athlone Town at Lissywoolen. Goals from Joe Doyle and Kieran Marty Waters set Cabo on their way to a tense 3-1 win.

Each of Longford’s last seven league games have had over 2.5 goals scored in them. Their last game with less than 2.5 goals was against Drogheda United in June.

BETTING

Longford Town 4/11; Draw 10/3; Cabinteely 5/1.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 2-1 Cabinteely

Longford Town

Injured: Sam Verdon, Dean Byrne, Jamie Hollywood.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None