Waterford United -v- Cobh Ramblers

WATERFORD UNITED

In a re-match of the EA Sports Cup tie played at the RSC in March, Waterford host Cobh Ramblers in the Airtricity First Division this Friday night. Waterford won 2-1 that night, coming from behind to beat their Munster neighbours thanks to goals from Ben Ran and Daragh Walshe.

At the time Waterford were in the middle of a league run that would see them collect just one point from their opening four games of the campaign, leaving them second bottom of the table in a position that manager Paul O’Brien admitted put him under considerable pressure.

Since then results have improved for the Blues and they won their next two league games - at home to Athlone Town and away to Salthill Devon - to lift themselves up to sixth place and above derby rivals Wexford Youths on goal difference.

Paul O’Brien will be without experienced defender Seamus Long who continues to serve a four match suspension, while Peter Keegan and Vinny Sullivan will be missing due to injuries. Ben Ryan returns to the squad having recovered from his recent hamstring injury.

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh sit one point, and one place, above Waterford United in the First Division table as they approach this game having so far experienced a quite spectacular return to League football. 

Cobh won their opening game of the season 5-0 against Wexford Youths at St Colman’s Park, a venue that has witnessed 20 goals in the three league matches played there to date. Ramblers second outing was away at Finn Harps where they were themselves soundly beaten, returning from Donegal on the back of a 4-1 hiding.

Matters stabilised with two away draws in their next three games. They tied 1-1 on their travels to Athlone Town and Salthill Devon but slipped a narrow 4-3 home defeat to league leaders Longford Town in between. Their latest outing yielded three points and their most remarkable result yet when a four goal salvo from Conor Meade helped them to a 5-3 win over Mervue last weekend.

It’s difficult to draw conclusions from a series of results as eccentric as Cobh’s but it appears that their ability to put the ball in the net is almost matched by their capacity to concede. Their goal difference stands at +3 and while they have scored more goals than any other team in the division (16), they have also conceded more (13) than anyone except bottom of the table Salthill Devon.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.

MATCH STATS

Cobh have yet to win away from home having earned just two of their eight points on the road.

These teams have not met in the League since 2002/03 when Waterford United won both games, winning 2-0 at home and 3-2 at St Coleman’s Park.

With nine league goals to his name, Ramblers striker Conor Meade has scored 50% more goals than the entire Waterford squad combined (six).

BETTING

Waterford 7/10; Draw 12/5; Cobh 7/2.

PREDICTION

A 1-1 draw.

Waterford United

Injured: Peter Keegan, Francis Rockett, Vinny Sullivan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Seamus Long.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.