Mervue United -v- Cobh Ramblers

MERVUE UNITED                     

Mervue United play host to Cobh Ramblers at Fahy’s Field for the last time in the Airtricity First Division this season. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

It’s a sad and ironic state of affairs for Mervue. Despite 2013 being the club’s best ever season (points amassed and league placing) in League of Ireland football, Johnny Glynn’s team is still getting the axe.

Back on the pitch however, a promotion battle looms on the horizon for Glynn’s men if victory can be achieved tonight.

Mervue are looking for their fifth win on the bounce and have yet to concede a goal in four games. Last week’s 1-0 triumph over Longford Town has once again steered the ship towards gaining a possible third-place finish in the league. Enough to warrant a play-off spot.

The find of the season in the league, at least from a Mervue prospective, is the now 17-year-old Ryan Manning. Starting the league at 16 years Manning has scored nine goals this season, four of them against Cobh, and has a flood of assists to his name. For such a young man he has evolved seamlessly into Mervue’s talisman.

Speaking on the upcoming game Glynn had plenty of praise for his team’s recent performances.

“We are on a good run of form at the moment and finishing the season strongly, but we need another good performance to overcome a Cobh side who will provide us with a strong challenge and have beaten us twice this season.

We were delighted with last week’s win and performance against Longford and which has now made it an interesting last two games for us.”

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh only received their league license at a very late stage and so they have done well all things considered.

The Cork side has probably been the most entertaining of teams to watch this season, from a neutral perspective that is. St. Coleman’s Park has seen many five goal thrillers this season. The club’s 40 goals scored and 51 against points to an erratic season under boss Dave Hill.

Losing striker Conor Meade in July was a major blow and, since his departure to Waterford United, two wins from eight speaks volumes of his importance to the team.

Robert Waters, Eoin Hastings and Roy Kenny are all suspended and there is a concern that work commitments might prevent more players from boarding the team bus to Galway.

If Cobh fails to beat Mervue they will have gone an entire season without an away win to their name.

Referee: R Matthews

MATCH STATS

Ryan Manning has scored four times against Cobh this season

Ramblers have gone entire season without an away win.

2013 has been Mervue United’s best ever season in the LOI

BETTING

Mervue United 4/9; Draw 11/4; Cobh Ramblers 6/1

PREDICTION

Mervue United 2-0 Cobh Ramblers

Mervue United

Injured: None

Doubtful: Tom King (sick), Martin Conneely (flu) and Gary Curran (calf strain)

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Robert Waters, Eoin Hastings and Roy Kenny