League Preview: Waterford United -v- Longford Town

Waterford United welcome Longford Town to the RSC this Friday for the Blues second last home game of the season. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues come into the game after defeat last weekend against Wexford Youths. A great Blues spell when 1-0 down almost saw the Blues back in the game but Patrick Fitzgerald saw his header superbly saved, before Wexford went on to record a 4-0 win.

 
The battling performance of the squad, along with the impressive performance from the younger and U19 players, will give the Blues plenty of encouragement as promotion chasing Longford visit the RSC this Friday.

 
The teams have faced each other three times in the league this season, with not a lot separating the teams. The opening tie finished scoreless before an 83rd minute Etanda Nkololo winner separated the teams in a 3-2 Longford win in the RSC in May. The most recent meeting saw Stephen Grant give the Blues the lead, but Longford fought back to claim the points in a 3-1 win.

 
Gavin O’Donovan continues to miss out with shin splints while Vinny Sullivan, Conor Coad and Mark Walsh (all flu) are all doubtful. John Frost (calf) remains a doubt while Thomas Croke should also be fit after a light knock in training midweek.

 
Some positive news on the injury front has seen Kevin O’Connor return to training after eight weeks out through injury suffered against Cobh Ramblers at the start of August, but this game will likely come too quick for any involvement.

 
“Wexford are on a good run of form at the moment and it was always going to be tough task. I thought that during the opening 20 minutes of the game that we gave them too much respect to be honest with you.  We addressed that issue at half time and I felt for the first 20 minutes of the second half that the lads did really well.

 
“We had them under all sorts of pressure and I think it just goes to show how important Vinny Sullivan is to the team because when we had to take him out of the game, we just didn’t have that experience in there. I think that’s when Wexford turned the screw on the game when Vinny went off.

 
 “I have to try take a positive and that was did well for 20 minutes of the second half. It’s a shame that we didn’t take something out of the game because the young lads are working really hard for us. I keep saying it but we can’t ask for anymore from these players.

 
“We need to regroup after this but I know that the players are as hungry as ever. I thought that if Patrick Fitzgerald’s header had gone in that we would have had something to try protect but I’m saying it all year that the Wexford Youth keeper is a top player.

 
“Being underdogs will take some pressure off us [against Longford] but that does not stop us having a huge desire to get a positive result, and for us that is more important than anything else. The young lads will want a chance to show that they are improving game by game, and we now need to focus on how we deal with a very good Longford Town team.”

LONGFORD TOWN

With three games to go in the First Division for Longford Town, Tony Cousins will be looking for maximum points against Waterford United on Friday night as the pressure grows in the title race.

Before recording a 4-2 win over Cobh Ramblers last week, Longford had drawn three and lost one in the preceding four league games.

Heading into Friday’s game, Cousins will have to plan without Willie Tyrell due to injury whilst Pat Sullivan is missing due to a two match suspension.

Referee: K O’Regan

MATCH STATS

In the three games so far this season, Longford Town have won two and draw one. 0-0, 2-3 and 3-1.

Longford Town are the top scorers in the league with 47 goals, five clear of Galway FC on 42.

Longford have won more games on the road than they have at home. Seven games versus eight.

BETTING

Waterford United 11/1; Draw 4/1; Longford Town 2/9

PREDICTION

Longford win – 2-0

Waterford United:
Injured: Gavin O’Donovan, Kevin O’Connor
Doubtful: John Frost, Vinny Sullivan, Mark Walsh, Conor Coad
Suspensions: None

Longford Town:
Injured: Willie Tyrell 
Doubtful: None
Suspensions: Pat Sullivan