League Preview: Waterford United -v- Cobh Ramblers

Eighth-placed Waterford United play host to sixth-placed Cobh Ramblers in the RSC on Friday night, with the Blues looking to close a 12 point gap on the visitors in the First Division table.

WATERFORD UNITED

The whole season has been a struggle for Waterford to date, with Roddy Collins not having the immediate impact on results Blues fans were perhaps hoping for nine league games into his tenure. One win and two draws means Collins has earned just five points from a possible 27, keeping Waterford rooted firmly to the foot of the table.

However, one positive that can be taken from the 2015 campaign is the number of young players to have come through the ranks and be given their chance in the first-team. The likes of Ethan Boyle, Shane Dineen, Dean Reidy and Patrick Fitzgerald have firmly established themselves as regular starters.

In recent games Aaron O'Connor, Mark Walsh, Daniel Pender and the Galvin twins Evan and Cory – who signed earlier this month – have all also had opportunities to impress, while the arrival of ex-Cork City U19 captain Darren Murphy from Friday's opponents Cobh was an astute move.

“I thought that the first-half performance was probably the best performance I've seen in Irish football to be totally and utterly honest with you,” said Collins after Waterford's 2-1 defeat to Shelbourne last week. “Every team that I've had could pass the ball but that was something different there.

“Even Shelbourne agreed with their directors, players and managers coming over saying that there is something special happening here, you know, and I know there is. They are doing it in training and when you have class players you don't have to be setting them up like chess pieces.”

Unfortunately for Collins, he will have to plan for the visit of Cobh without the suspended trio of Boyle and the Galvin twins, with the red card Reidy received against Shels overturned in a case of mistaken identity and awarded to Evan Galvin. Thomas Croke is also still on the injury list, while Shaun Corcoran is a doubt.

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will be hoping to start another unbeaten run having recovered from back-to-back losses against Finn Harps (2-0) and Wexford Youths (3-0) by defeating Cabinteely 2-1 in St. Colman's Park last week.

With this season's fixture list pitting Cobh against the two sides currently vying for the First Division title on back-to-back weeks four times, the Cork side have yet to record even a draw against either Harps or Youths in six games so far in 2015 (three against each side).

However, since the return of Hendo, the Rams have proved adept at taking points from everybody else and will travel to Waterford looking to continue their unbeaten streak against the Blues in 2015 – Cobh won the last time these two sides met in June, while the first meeting of the two teams this season back in April ended in a draw.

Darren Murphy will face his former Rams teammates for the first time since making the switch to the RSC. The 20 year old only arrived at St. Colman's before the start of the season and quickly established himself as a key member of the Cobh side, so his departure will be a blow to Henderson as he tries to build a squad capable of competing at the right end of the table.

Jonathan Creamer is still out for Cobh as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, while both Brendan Frahill and Graham McCarthy are suspended. Goalkeeper David Browne is also a doubt.

Referee: Sean Grant.

MATCH STATS

Waterford United have won six of the last 12 meetings between the sides, with Cobh Ramblers winning twice and the other four games ending in draws.

The last meeting between the sides was decided by a player who has since moved from one club to the other: Darren Murphy scored the only goal in Cobh's 1-0 win over Waterford at St. Colman's Park in June. Murphy has since made the switch to the RSC.

Roddy Collins has seen Waterford United win just once in his first ten competitive games in charge – the 3-1 victory over Cabinteely on his Blues debut at the RSC in May.

Since Stephen Henderson returned to the helm, Cobh Ramblers have only lost league games to two teams: Finn Harps and Wexford Youths. Henderson's league record in his second stint in charge reads: P15 W6 D5 L4.

BETTING

Waterford United 7/5; Draw 23/10; Cobh Ramblers 13/8.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 2-2 Cobh Ramblers.

Waterford United

Injured: Thomas Croke.

Doubtful: Shaun Corcoran.

Suspended: Evan Galvin, Cory Galvin, Ethan Boyle.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Jonathan Creamer.

Doubtful: David Browne.

Suspended: Brendan Frahill, Graham McCarthy.