Wexford Youths -v- SD Galway
Thu, Aug 30 2012WEXFORD YOUTHS
Wexford Youths will be hoping to return to winning ways when they welcome struggling SD Galway to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night (8pm kick-off).
Youths go into this one as heavy favourites but despite sitting 12 points ahead of the Galway side, Shane Keegan’s men are only two places ahead of Friday’s opponents and have struggled to put together a consistent string of performances.
In their last run-out, they were edged out 1-0 by Premier Division side Drogheda United in the third round of the FAI Cup. Before that they managed only one win in their previous five league games. Those three points came via a surprise win over Waterford United.
Before that they drew with Athlone Town and Finn Harps and then lost to Mervue United and Limerick.
No Wexford Youths team information was available but Christopher Browne is suspended.
SD GALWAY
If recent history is anything to go by, SD Galway will certainly be up against it on Friday night. They have failed to beat Wexford on three occasions already this year - drawing twice and losing once – and conceded five goals in the three matches.
The last time the sides met, a 2-2 draw came in the middle of a barren run for the Galway outfit. But more recently, things have improved as Tony Mannion’s charges make a late surge to avoid the ignominy of last place in the Airtricity First Division.
SD recorded their first back-to-back wins of the league campaign last week when they followed up their 2-1 defeat of Mervue United with a 3-0 hammering of Athlone Town.
There is further good news for the Galway club with the news that Enda Curran returns after a three week break. Jakub Tomanica has recovered from a thigh strain and should start; as should Colm Horgan. Brian Geraghty is suspended.
Referee: Keith Callanan
MATCH STATS
This is the fourth meeting between these teams this season. They played out two draws but sandwiched in-between was a 2-0 win for Friday night’s hosts.
Despite their inferior league position, SD Galway’s home form doesn’t compare too badly with the Youths. They’ve lost fewer games and picked up four points from drawn games.
However, Wexford’s goal scoring prowess is much better than SD Galway’s having scored 23 more goals in the league to date.
BETTING
Wexford Youths 1/2; Draw 3/1; SD Galway 5/1.
PREDICTION
2-0 to Wexford Youths.
Wexford Injury News: Unavailable.
Wexford Suspension News: Christopher Browne.
SD Galway Injury News: None.
SD Galway Suspensions News: Brian Geraghty.
Sam joined Extratime for the 2011 season and is now the site's features editor. He is based in Dublin and covers all the clubs in the capital. He is also prone to the odd Drogheda game. If you would like to contact Sam, you can reach him at samgriffin@live.com.