Mervue and Salthill face difficult tasks

Date Published: 08-Jul-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

DEPRIVED of a result against league leaders Derry City last weekend, despite have the majority of possession, Mervue United will look to regroup to record when they face Longford Town in the First Division at Terryland Park this evening (7:45pm).

Tom French’s side will hope that their lack of cutting edge, so evident against Derry, who defeated the home side 2-1, will not come back to haunt them against an outfit that lies immediately above them on the First Division table.

In other words, this has to be a fixture Mervue have targeted to win.When the sides last met in April, Mervue looked on course for a 1-1 draw at Flancare Park, before Longford struck late to steal the points. In many respects, the Derry defeat last weekend was somewhat reminiscent of that loss, as it was a game Mervue could also have taken something from.

“To be honest, the only difference between the two teams last weekend was that they (Derry) had a lad up front who could put the ball in the net. If we had been a bit better around the box, we could easily have won that game,” says Mervue boss French.

“I would have been happy with a point because Derry are a very good side. We had a fair bit of possession and looked comfortable for most of the game, but we then just conceded those two goals. So, that was disappointing, although the performance, in fairness, was good. Hopefully, we can do better on Friday night and get the win. That is what we will be going out to do anyway.”

With captain and defender Eric Browne returning from injury for this one, the Galway outfit can dish out a little pay-back to Longford for that earlier league defeat.

Meanwhile, Salthill Devon travel to Jackman Park to face promotion chasing side, Limerick (7:45pm). It really has been a season to forget for Salthill, who suffered their 13th defeat of their campaign to Monaghan United last weekend.

When Salthill Devon and Limerick clashed at Drom in April, Limerick emerged 3-2 winners. Consequently, they will be favourites to once again take the points on this occasion as they maintain their drive for promotion to the Premier League.