Martin Cambridge’s Cobh Ramblers travel down to the South-East this weekend to face Wexford Youths. The Rams started off their campaign last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Shamrock Rovers B. They had a number of key players missing and it was down to the young guard to step up. It was one of those, James Carson, who scored the equaliser late on at St Colman’s Park. Wexford meanwhile started off their campaign with a 2-0 loss away to relegated Shelbourne.

Cobh failed to win on the road in 2013 and this is something that they will want to put right starting on Friday in Ferrycarrig Park. Martin Deady returns from suspension for the Rams but Brendán Frahill is out with a leg injury despite serving his suspension. Andrew Bhandarkar remains a doubt with a groin injury and last week’s goalscorer, James Carson is also doubtful as he is sick with the flu. Ron Stanton and Mikey O’Shea will also be missing so Martin Cambridge is likely to call up several of the u19 players.

The two sides received byes in the EA Sports Cup so haven’t played since their opening league tie.

With club favourite Danny Furlong back at the club after his spell with Cork City, Wexford have a serious goal threat going forward. Eric Molloy and Ben Ryan will also add to the Youths attack. Ryan scored three goals against the Rams for Waterford last year and will want to add to that at his new club.
Not a huge amount is expected from both these sides this year but they will be quietly confident of causing an upset as the season wears on. A win for either team would be a big boost going into a tough run of games.

The referee for the game is Jim McKell. His assistants are Ken Hennessy and Sinead Forde while Shane Dunphy is the fourth official.

The other games in the First Division see Waterford host Galway, Shelbourne travel to Longford and Shamrock Rovers B entertain Finn Harps.

Preview by Thomas Stafford