19.45 1 Apr 2016 -
Referee: Adriano Reale
League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Cabinteely
- Caoimhin Reilly
- Thu, Mar 31 2016
DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda’s strong start to the season is but a distant memory at this stage. Having won their first game at home to Waterford United, they have failed to win a game in all competitions since.
They were involved in uninspiring draws with Cobh Ramblers and Athlone Town, before they were sent crashing out of the EA Sports Cup at the hands of non-league Bluebell United on penalties. Their last game was Saturday’s 3-0 drubbing by Shelbourne AT Tolka Park.
They welcome Cabinteely to United Park on Friday and they’ll hope to get their promotion push back on track against a side who are equally struggling for form, and who also exited cup competition to Bluebell this season, in the Leinster Senior Cup.
Pete Mahon seems to be struggling to get continuity in his team selections for a number of different reasons which is most certainly a factor in his team’s slump.
Crowds at United Park this season have been at a severely low ebb in comparison with seasons past. A meagre 564 turned up for their last home game against Athlone Town, and if Pete Mahon’s side want to progress back towards Premier Division status then they’ll require the support of all the Boyneside faithful.
CABINTEELY
Eddie Gormley’s side have begun their 2016 season in a similar vain to the fashion with which they started their inaugural league campaign – inconsistently.
Having defeated Athlone Town in Stradbrook on opening night 2-1, they failed to push on, as along with their opening night three points, their credible 1-1 draw with Shelbourne in North Dublin two weeks ago is all they have to show for their exertions this season.
UCD and Waterford have both defeated Gormley’s men, and they look like they’re in for another season of fighting to avoid the bottom-place wooden spoon prize.
Their seeming inability to score goals, while indulging in the over-concession of goals doesn’t bode too well for the year ahead, especially with free-scoring Limerick waiting for them down the M7 in three weeks time.
If Cabinteely can provide decent service into feet for Joe Doyle and Ben Hanrahan on Friday night, then they could cause the frail Drogheda defence trouble, however, if they allow themselves to be dictated by their hosts then it’s going to be a tough night and a pointless journey home down the M1.
Referee: Adriano Reale.
MATCH STATS
This is only the second ever meeting between the sides in competitive competition, following last year’s FAI Ford Cup encounter at United Park
Drogheda won that encounter 3-1 to progress to the next round of the Cup.
Cabinteely skipper Victor Ekanem and striker Ollie Hamzat are both former Drogheda United players.
PREDICTION
Drogheda United 3-1 Cabinteely.
BETTING
Drogheda United 4/7; Draw 12/5; Cabinteely FC 9/2.
Drogheda United
Injuries: Sean Thornton (ankle)
Doubtful: Jake Hyland (hamstring)
Suspensions: None.
Cabinteely
Injuries: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspensions: None.
About Caoimhin Reilly
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