Mervue United -v- Wexford Youths

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United’s form has been up and down of late with crushing losses against Limerick and Derry City sandwiched by equally empathic victories over Waterford and Athlone.

Even taking into account Athlone’s current travails last Friday’s 3-0 victory in Lissywoollen was an excellent win at this stage of the season, putting clear light between themselves and SD Galway and showing great character to bounce back from the disappointment of the cup quarter-final mauling at the hands of Derry in the Brandywell.

The challenge now, as Wexford Youths visit Fahy’s Field, is put together back to back victories for only the second time this season and finish the season on an upward curve.

Speaking to the club’s website manager Johnny Glynn commented:

“I was delighted with the player’s performance and attitude last week as they responded brilliantly following the disappointing display the previous week in Derry but they must now build on that and continue that form into this week’s game with Wexford. We are looking for an unbeaten finish to the final three games to finish the season on high.”

Mervue have doubts over Shane Keogh who injured his hamstring against Athlone, while Michael McSweeney, Pat Hoban and Noel Varley have all been suffering from the flu this week. On the positive front captain Mike Elwood returns from suspension, while both midfielder Gary Kelly is also available having missed last week’s win in the midlands. Defender Kenny Farrell remains on the sidelines as he recovers from a long term ankle injury.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford continue their quest for a fourth place finish in a battle that seems to have come down to a straight shoot out with Finn Harps - who they played out a 2-2 draw with last Friday - and who lie one point ahead of them in the table.

Harps have two of their remaining three games at home while Youths must  journey to Mervue and face a daunting final day away game in Limerick, either side of a visit from Athlone who they recently defeated 3-0 in Lissywoollen.

If they are to stand any chance of overhauling Finn Harps they will, in all probability, need to pick up three points against Mervue and speaking to the media this week assistant boss Paddy Carey confirmed that his team will be going all out for the win. 

“It’s a massive game for us, we have spoken over the last couple of months that fourth place is really a priority for us and would be a fantastic achievement – coming back last week twice against Finn Harps gained us a point and it does give us a chance going into the final three games, which is what we wanted. We will be going for the win on Friday.”

In form striker Joe Mulcahy will miss the game due to suspension while midfielder Craig Wall misses out through injury.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

Honours are even between the sides in the twelve league meetings to date, as both sides have registered five wins each, while the other two games were scoreless draws, both in back in the 2009 season. 

Wexford Youths won all three league games between the clubs’s in the 2010 season, while Mervue won all three league meetings in the 2011 season.

Games between the sides can get heated as in the three previous fixtures between the sides this season a total of twelve yellow cards and one red card have been shown.

BETTING

Mervue United 7/5; Draw 23/10; Wexford Youths 13/8.

PREDICTION

Mervue United 1-1 Wexford Youths

Mervue United Injury News: Kenny Farrell. Shane Keogh (doubtful).

Mervue United Suspension News: None.

Wexford Youths Injury News: Craig Wall.

Wexford Youths Suspension News: Joe Mulcahy.