League Preview: Wexford -v- Cobh Ramblers
Stuart Ashton with his backroom team. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
WEXFORD
An emerging Wexford side host fellow strugglers Cobh Ramblers at Ferrycarrig Park in the First Division (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
The Slaneysiders impressed last week despite defeat away to Shelbourne – as Conor Crowley’s unfortunate own-goal put pay to their hopes of getting three points.
But Brian O’Sullivan’s side will take positives from their near-miss against Shels – with a number of their players impressing.
They will also be buoyed with the return of Harry Groome and Alex O’Hanlon who missed out on last week’s defeat against their parent club.
While Wexford will welcome back their on-loan Shels duo, they are likely to be without Ayman Yousif and Cameron Power who are injured.
Anto Dolan remains a doubt as he is nearing full fitness.
COBH RAMBLERS
After a slow start to the season, Cobh Ramblers visit Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday evening in the First Division.
Cobh picked up their first points of the season last weekend away to Treaty United – and their manager Stuart Ashton is hopeful that his side can push on again away to Wexford.
“We take the pluses out of each game we’ve played so far. Last week we showed some good things, we came back into it and took the game to them, but without the clinical finishing,” he said.
“We have to look at that. We’ve got to shift the ball quicker to create those chances and be more clinical going forward. We could have been 1-0 up after a few minutes last week and it’s a different game then if that’s the case.
“Looking ahead to Wexford, there’s no easy game in this league. We’ve got to go there with our game plan and execute it, knowing that it’s going to be a tough game.”
Pierce Phillips and Conor Drinan are likely to miss out while Martin Coughlan and Darren Murphy have also picked up knocks and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Caelin Rooney and Regix Madika remain unavailable.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
MATCH STATS
Wexford are yet to defeat Cobh Ramblers in their current guise of Wexford FC. Their last win over the Rams came in 2015 when the then named Wexford Youths won promotion to the Premier Division.
Both teams last league victory came against Longford Town in October 2020 – with Cobh winning away and Wexford winning at home.
BETTING
Wexford 2/1; Draw 23/10; Cobh Ramblers 5/4.
PREDICTION
Wexford 1 - 0 Cobh Ramblers
Wexford
Injured: Cameron Power, Ayman Yousif.
Doubtful: Anto Dolan.
Suspended: None.
Cobh Ramblers
Injured: Regix Madika.
Doubtful: Pierce Phillips, Conor Drinan, Martin Coughlan, Darren Murphy.
Suspended: Caelin Rooney.
