League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Galway United

Cobh Ramblers take on the challenge of struggling Galway United at St. Colman’s Park tomorrow evening (kick-off 7pm).

COBH RAMBLERS

The Rams will be hoping to build upon their recent good run of form with a home win to act as a catalyst to kick-start a possible push towards the promotion spots.

Cobh made the long journey to the Carlisle Grounds last Friday evening following the resumption of the League of Ireland and produced a spirited performance to earn a share of the spoils against Bray Wanderers and take an important point with them back to the Rebel County.

It was a tight and tense tussle throughout with both sides cancelling each other out and it was the defences who came out on top as the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate to leave the Rams just three points off the bottom.

The draw against the Seagulls extended The Rams unbeaten run  to three games having beaten Athlone Town 3-2, and then beating UCC 4-3 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 after full-time in the EA Sports Cup.

Cobh boss Stuart Ashton is expecting another difficult test against Galway United telling cobhramblers.ie, “It’s a tough league and every game is a battle. That’s what we’re expecting. They played again on Monday and you might think that gives us an advantage, with the extra rest, but I don’t think that’s the case. They’ll be glad to get the extra game in and get that bit more match fitness. We’re looking forward to the game, we want to express ourselves, enjoy our football and show what we’ve been working on.”

On the injury front Ashton will have to make do without the services of defensive pair of Kevin Taylor who remains side-lined with an injury while Ben O’Riordan will serve out a one match ban. Ashton received a welcome boost this week with the return of defender Darryl Walsh having fully recovered from injury.

GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen make the trip down  south desperately seeking to register their first league win of the season after a disappointing start to their campaign.



United played host to Athlone Town in an entertaining game at Eamonn Deacy Park last Monday evening that ended in a 2-2 draw.

The match started frenetically with both teams going for the jugular, but it was Athlone that drew first blood in the 22nd minute with a goal from Taner Dogan.

Galway responded well from the setback and grew into the game and were rewarded for their endeavours when Michael Place scored to level the match four minutes from the interval.

The second half began in similar fashion and just before the hour mark Athlone retook the lead courtesy of a goal from Adam Lennon. The game looked to be petering out until the 87th minute when Francely Lomboto grabbed a precious point for the Tribesmen.

This was Galway United’s third draw in 4 league matches so far this season having drawn 1-1 away from home against Shamrock Rovers II and Wexford.

Their other match finished in a 2-0 defeat against Cabinteely at Eamonn Deacy Park.



.Galway’s solitary win came in the EA Sports Cup with a 2-0 home win over Athlone .

Galway boss Alan Murphy received a massive boost this week with the signing of goalkeeper Matthew Connor from Waterford who was a regular in the Waterford team in the Premier Division last season.

This is a timely coup for Murphy following the news that Michael Schlingermann had sustained a serious knee injury.

Referee: Jason Mannix

MATCH FACTS

Cobh Ramblers and Galway United met three times in the 2019 season with the Rams winning the first two matches 2-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park and 2-1 at St. Colman’s Park with Galway winning the third game 7-1.

The Rams and the Tribesmen have met 17 times in all competitions since 2005 with nothing to separate the two sides with six wins each and 5 draws.

Cobh Ramblers scored 23 goals in the 11 matches averaging 1.35 per game while Galway United scored 26 goals averaging 1.53 per game.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 9/5 Draw 21/10 Galway United 13/10

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-2 Galway United

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Kevin Taylor.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Ben O’Riordan.

Galway United

Injured: Joshua Smith, Conor Melody, Enda Curran, Micheál Schlingermann, Jack O'Connor, Alberto Cabanyes, Wilson Waweru, Timo Parthoens.

Doubtful: Timmy Molloy, Jack Lynch, Conor Barry.

Suspended: None.

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