League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Longford Town

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will look to put back-to-back league wins together for the first time this season when they welcome early-season pacesetters Longford Town to St Colman’s Park (kick-off 7pm).

Stephen Henderson’s side have struggled for consistency this season but they ended a run of three defeats in all competitions with victory away Galway United last week.

An own goal from Maurice Nugent was enough to give the Rams all three points after Vinny Faherty had cancelled out Jaze Kabia’s opener – the teenager’s fifth of the season.

The result moved the Rams above Athlone Town into seventh, and a win of three goals or more will see them move above Bray Wanderers in sixth.

Cobh have not provided any team news. Charlie Lyons misses out after picking up a five-game ban for his red card against Cabinteely.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town can re-take their position at the summit of the First Division with a victory on the road against Cobh.

Neale Fenn’s side are the only unbeaten side across the two divisions and have dropped just four points all season as they set the pace in the second tier.

Longford regained pole position last Saturday, 24 hours after ceding it to Cabinteely, thanks to a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Bray Wanderers.

First-half goals from Michael McDonnell and Peter Hopkins underlined a commanding performance from the home side.

Cabo went back above Longford with victory on Friday night but the midlanders now have two games in hand with which to return to the top.

“The few times we’ve gone down there [to Cobh], or since I’ve gone down there, we’ve found it difficult,” Fenn told the club’s official website.

“There’s no easy games in this league, you know. As long as we take care of ourselves, respect the opposition, we should be ok.”

Aaron Dobbs is Longford’s only injury absentee and Fenn has an otherwise full squad to pick from.

Referee: Marc Lynch

MATCH STATS

This is the first meeting between these two sides this season.

They met three times in the league last season, sharing the spoils in the first game at City Calling Stadium before trading away victories.

The sides also met in the third round of the EA Sports Cup as goals from Darren Murphy and Andrew Wall helped the Rams on their way to the final.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 4/1; Draw 11/4; Longford Town 8/15.

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1 – 1 Longford Town

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Charlie Lyons.

Longford Town

Injured: Aaron Dobbs.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.