Athlone Town -v- Waterford United

ATHLONE TOWN

Slowly but surely Roddy Collins is beginning to put his mark on Athlone Town as last week’s late winner by Phillip Gorman at Salthill Devon made it four games unbeaten for the Midlanders and propelled them into joint third position in the league.

Although it may be too early to speak about mounting a challenge for automatic promotion, the charismatic manager will no doubt be delighted with the spirit his side showed to come from behind to get the three points in Galway and hope that same spirit can keep them in contention until the latter part of the season.

Home form will be crucial if they are to keep pace with the league leaders and the clubs fans will be looking to take advantage of the upheaval at Waterford United on Friday night to record their third league win at home this season.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent after last week’s game, Collins appealed to the Athlone people to replicate the away support for the club and come down and get behind the team as they seek to continue their positive run of form.

“The club has no sugar-daddy or big sponsors and the only income is through the turnstiles. It’s not like I am asking people to watch a dour team because we are a good side that’s improving the whole time. We try to play the right way and are on a decent run at the moment. The club has ensured me that anything extra that comes into the club will go into improving the squad and that will be beneficial to everyone. I would just love to see the people of Athlone come more on board to give us a chance to show them what we’re about.”

The team head into the game with no injury or suspension worries.

WATERFORD UNITED

Last year's promotion play-off must seem a life time ago for Blues fans and manager Paul O’Brien paid the ultimate sacrifice when he tendered his resignation on the back of some disappointing results and lacklustre performances that sees the team sit third from bottom of the first division.

The team responded well under the caretaker management team, headed up by U/19 coach Tommy Griffin, for the trip to Limerick for the EA Sports Cup clash and were unlucky to exit when the Premier league side snatched a late equaliser and then won on penalties after Waterford looked to have done enough with a confident display in normal time.

The management team will again be in charge for the game against Athlone and Griffin believes that the encouraging display in Thomond Park will give his team a lot of confidence going in to Friday’s game.

"We're really disappointed not to have won the game because we worked so hard. It's a pity that we couldn't just see out the game, and it would have been great if we could have done. But every man that played tonight and that were part of the squad have been excellent and I'm very proud of that. The lads were still buoyed up at training from the performance on Monday night. They'll go to Athlone knowing they're capable of a high level of performance.”

Waterford have no suspensions to concern them, but they will have to plan without the services of midfielder Peter Higgins who is still suffering a quad strain, and top goal scorer Paudie Quinn who is also likely to miss out with an ankle injury. Full back John Frost is also doubtful after coming off injured against Limerick.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.

MATCH STATS

Since returning to the First Division in 2008, Waterford United have not lost to Athlone Town in 18 games, winning nine and drawing eight.

David Breen is United's current top scorer against Athlone with three goals while Noel McGee heads Athlone's list with four.

Athlone Town have conceded the second lowest amount of goals in the division with only eleven being scored against them while Waterford are joint lowest goal scorers having only hit the net nine times this season.

BETTING

Athlone Town11/8; Draw 21/10; Waterford United 9/5.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 2-1 Waterford United

Athlone Town

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

Waterford United

Injured: Peter Higgins.
Doubtful: Paudie Quinn, John Frost.
Suspended: None.