Waterford United FC -v- Longford Town FC
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Having staged a late rally to see off Athlone Town last time out, Waterford United welcome Longford Town to the RSC on Saturday evening (kick-off 7pm) hoping for a game a little gentler on the fingernails. Willie John Kiely’s last-gasp winner at Lissywollen secured the Blues' second victory of the season but they remain without a home win.
'Statement of intent'
However, with confidence running high after last week’s result, manager Stephen Henderson is optimistic that that is about to change. "The lads were devastated after the Shels result (0-1), but the way they bounced back against Athlone was a statement of intent," he said. "The game was one in which we dominated and created a lot of chances, and when Athlone scored it was a case of what way will the lads react to this. Their heads never went down, and while the two goals were late and dramatic, it was no more than the lads deserved. This attitude will be required against a good Longford team, and should we apply ourselves in the right manner, then everything else will take care of itself."
Murphy dismissed
Longford have had a mixed start to the season. They have scored seven goals in two games at Flancare Park, against Monaghan United (3-3) and Kildare County (4-0) but have been narrowly beaten in both away games, against Finn Harps (0-1) and Wexford Youths (1-2). Goalkeeper Brendan Murphy has paid the price for his error-prone performance last time out by being released from the club after he was at fault for both of Wexford’s goals last Friday. “There's no point in simply blaming Brendan,” manager Alan Gough told ltfc.ie, “because there were mistakes made all over the pitch. I felt we went into the game on the back of a bit of momentum; OK we lost to Finn Harps but the performance was good and then, of course, we had beaten Kildare County.
'Stronger mindset'
“But on Friday, the overall performance wasn't there and I certainly won't accept that," he added. "The players were all given their instruction and we need a certain level of performance from them at all times. But I've let them know that. Sometimes a stronger mindset is needed and I expect them to learn from that. Sometimes if the result isn't there but the performance is, you don't mind so much. But when we play as badly as we did it's hard to take. Since we got together this year the lads have been fantastic, so if we can get back to where we were we can do alright this weekend.”
Red mist
Longford boast a horrendous disciplinary record this season with four players seeing red in their first four games. This leaves them without the services of Jim Sheridan through suspension. Sheridan is the only absentee for Gough’s side apart from the obvious unavailability of Murphy. Waterford, meanwhile, should have a full squad to choose from. Paul McCarthy saw a specialist during the week for a persistent groin problem but is expected to be fit for the game. Kieran Fitzgerald is also available as he returns from a one-match suspension.
extratime.ie prediction: Longford have struggled on their travels this season and Waterford will be fired up for a first win at the RSC. 2-1 Waterford.
'Statement of intent'
However, with confidence running high after last week’s result, manager Stephen Henderson is optimistic that that is about to change. "The lads were devastated after the Shels result (0-1), but the way they bounced back against Athlone was a statement of intent," he said. "The game was one in which we dominated and created a lot of chances, and when Athlone scored it was a case of what way will the lads react to this. Their heads never went down, and while the two goals were late and dramatic, it was no more than the lads deserved. This attitude will be required against a good Longford team, and should we apply ourselves in the right manner, then everything else will take care of itself."
Murphy dismissed
Longford have had a mixed start to the season. They have scored seven goals in two games at Flancare Park, against Monaghan United (3-3) and Kildare County (4-0) but have been narrowly beaten in both away games, against Finn Harps (0-1) and Wexford Youths (1-2). Goalkeeper Brendan Murphy has paid the price for his error-prone performance last time out by being released from the club after he was at fault for both of Wexford’s goals last Friday. “There's no point in simply blaming Brendan,” manager Alan Gough told ltfc.ie, “because there were mistakes made all over the pitch. I felt we went into the game on the back of a bit of momentum; OK we lost to Finn Harps but the performance was good and then, of course, we had beaten Kildare County.
'Stronger mindset'
“But on Friday, the overall performance wasn't there and I certainly won't accept that," he added. "The players were all given their instruction and we need a certain level of performance from them at all times. But I've let them know that. Sometimes a stronger mindset is needed and I expect them to learn from that. Sometimes if the result isn't there but the performance is, you don't mind so much. But when we play as badly as we did it's hard to take. Since we got together this year the lads have been fantastic, so if we can get back to where we were we can do alright this weekend.”
Red mist
Longford boast a horrendous disciplinary record this season with four players seeing red in their first four games. This leaves them without the services of Jim Sheridan through suspension. Sheridan is the only absentee for Gough’s side apart from the obvious unavailability of Murphy. Waterford, meanwhile, should have a full squad to choose from. Paul McCarthy saw a specialist during the week for a persistent groin problem but is expected to be fit for the game. Kieran Fitzgerald is also available as he returns from a one-match suspension.
extratime.ie prediction: Longford have struggled on their travels this season and Waterford will be fired up for a first win at the RSC. 2-1 Waterford.
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile