19.45 24 Apr 2015 -
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Longford Town
- Fran Reilly
- Fri, Apr 24 2015
DROGHEDA UNITED
Lee Duffy's 83rd minute penalty against St. Patrick's Athletic gave the Drogs an unlikely point last week and ended a run of four consecutive losses. The 2-2 draw was a much needed result for Johnny McDonnell's side, but Drogheda are yet to taste victory in the league since the 3-2 win over Sligo Rovers at United Park in mid-March – picking up only two points from the seven games they have played since.
Yet despite winning just eight points from their first nine Premier Division games of the season, Drogs currently sit in eighth place in the table, with their next opponents Longford Town one point and one position better off. Though it is still early in the campaign, McDonnell is fully aware that while points against the league's big clubs like Pat's are to be treasured, it will be games against the teams around them that will define their season.
“The upcoming run of games is where we will be expected to pick up the majority of our points but things don't always work out like that,” McDonnell told droghedaunited.ie. “It's great to be impressive and motivated against the big sides but we must bring that into the other games this season.
“Longford will be a difficult game as they are a well-organised side that like to play with a direct style which works for them as they have two goalscorers up front in Gary Shaw and David O'Sullivan,” McDonnell went on. “It's going to be a scrappy game and we must match their work rate if we are to get the victory that we want.”
Goalkeeper Dylan Connolly is available for selection after resuming training following a shoulder injury, but Neil Yadolahi remains out with a thigh problem.
LONGFORD TOWN
Tony Cousins' Longford travel to United Park in similar enough form to their opponents: without a league win since March, picking up just two points from their five games since – funnily enough, like Drogs one of those points came against Pat's with the same 2-2 scoreline, while the other was earned against Sligo Rovers (1-1).
Like his opposite number, Cousins will be more concerned about taking points from the sides around Longford in the table, and the fact that his side were on a four game unbeaten run before suffering back-to-back defeats to Bohemians in the league and the EA Sports Cup will give the Town boss confidence that they can arrest this current slump.
However, Longford travel to United Park having won just once on the road this season, which also happens to be the last time they won a game in the Premier Division – the 2-1 victory over Galway United at Eamon Deacy Park, courtesy of a very late Don Cowan goal which was followed by even later drama that resulted in both Sam Oji and Pat Flynn being sent off for a coming together.
Though he has made a slow start to life in the Premier Division, Town striker David O'Sullivan will carry the burden once more of scoring the goals to win his side the game and keep the club in the top flight.
While a return of two goals from seven starts and two sub appearances is some way short of what is expected of Longford's all-time highest league goal scorer, that is just indicative of a newly promoted club adjusting to life at a higher level – chances will continue to be at a premium throughout the season and there is no better man to take them than O'Sullivan.
Cowan, who started the season brightly, hasn't featured in a Longford matchday squad since being booked in the draw with Pat's due to injury and is still some way short of making a return, while Paul Hunt is a doubt having missed the last two games.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
MATCH STATS
This will be the first Premier Division clash between these two sides since September 29th, 2007. Goals for Drogheda from Guy Bates and Paul Keegan were enough to ensure that a 90th minute Ian Ryan goal would prove to be a consolation for Longford at Flancare Park as the game ended 2-1.
Longford's last trip to United Park came as recently as February 2015 in the Leinster Senior Cup – a game which the Town won on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Drogheda have picked up four of their eight points at home this season (one win, one draw); four of Longford's nine points have come on their travels (also one win and one draw).
BETTING
Drogheda 8/5; Draw11/5; Longford 17/10.
PREDICTION
1-1
Drogheda United
Injured: Neil Yadolahi (thigh).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Longford Town
Injured: Don Cowan.
Doubtful: Paul Hunt.
Suspended: None
About Fran Reilly
Fran Reilly joined Extratime.ie in February 2015 having previously written for the Drogheda/Fingal Independents, loi19.com and the Cork City matchday programme. Though only part of the ET family for a relatively short time, the Donaghmede …