Wexford Youths -v- Finn Harps
Credit:
WEXFORD YOUTHS
Wexford Manager Shane Keegan will again plan without Tom Elmes and is sweating on the fitness of CJ Browne and Jamie Carr ahead of the visit of second placed Finn Harps.
A comprehensive EA Sports Cup defeat at Ferrycarrig Park to Cork City in midweek will have to be quickly forgotten as league action returns with an 8pm kick off.
FINN HARPS
Peter Hutton’s Finn Harps will look to keep up the pressure on league leaders Longford Town as the Donegal outfit make the 800km round trip to the south east coast. Damien McNulty and Thomas McMonagle both remain doubtful with knee and ankle knocks respectively.
Harps leapfrogged Mervue United with a narrow 10 home win in their last league outing before bowing out of the EA Sports Cup via a penalty shootout defeat to neighbours Derry City in midweek.
Speaking to www.finnharps.com ahead of the game against Wexford, Hutton is pleased with recent performances, “I thought we played very well against Derry and should have won the game, but sometimes football can be cruel.
Whilst the result was disappointing the performance of the team was encouraging and those players that came in acquitted themselves well.”
“The players that came in definitely rose to the challenge and will provide me with food for thought for the upcoming games but it is a good dilemma to have. Making eight changes to the team that started against Mervue may have seemed a gamble to most but I have faith in this bunch of players and whilst some have had to be patient in getting their chance over the course of the season we will need everyone in the group to be ready mentally and physically when called upon and those that played against Derry certainly did themselves no harm at all.”
Referee: Simon Rogers.
MATCH STATS
The league meeting will be the first of two games between the teams within seven days as the sides are due to play an FAI Cup tie at Finn Park next weekend.
Finn Harps last away win in Wexford came back in July 2011 with a 2-0 win.
Wexford have only shared the points on one occasion this season (against Finn Harps) with five draws and five defeats leaving Youths in mid table.
BETTING
Home 2/1; Draw 11/5; Away 6/5.
PREDICTION
0-2, Harps to continue their recent good form with an away win
Wexford Youths
Injured: Tom Elmes.
Doubtful: CJ Browne, Jamie Carr (forearm).
Suspended: None.
Finn Harps
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Damien McNulty (knee), Thomas McMonagle (ankle).
Suspended: None.
