Waterford United -v- Athlone Town
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Waterford United entertain Athlone town at the RSC on Friday (kick-off 7:45pm) in a crucial clash for the home side in their pursuit of promotion. The Blues sat proudly atop the First Division table before losing their last two league games against Wexford Youths and fellow title contenders Shelbourne and falling to fourth. Athlone meanwhile lie in eighth place in the relative comfort of mid-table obscurity.
Waterford had a poor game last time out in the league. The Suirsiders never really got going in Tolka Park and could have lost by a wider margin. They have however won since that game, brushing non-league side Carrigaline aside to advance to the fourth round of the FAI Cup. Waterford ran out 6-0 winners against the Cork team and manager Stephen Henderson highlighted the game’s significance as a prelude to this encounter. "It was good to get back to basics again after losing our last two league games. No disrespect to Carrigaline, but this was all about Athlone next Friday. We had to get back to doing what we are good at and thankfully we did that here tonight."
"Coming up to the break, it's fair to say we're having an excellent campaign so far, winning the Munster Senior Cup, we're in the semi-final of the League [EA Sports] Cup, into the last 16 of the FAI Cup and three points off the top of the league, it's so far so good and the players have been magnificent for us. But we have to be honest and say that we need the midfield players to start rowing in with goals now. While there's no doubt that the two boys [strikers Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins] are on fire, if you take their goals out of the equation we could actually be in a bit of trouble, so hopefully now the midfielders will start to create and take chances in front of goal. You saw tonight that we only had three players on the bench after losing Paul and Alan Carey to injury so we're down to the bare bones at the moment, and I'm hopeful that we can sign a couple of players during the July transfer window. If we are to be serious about winning the league we will need new faces, hopefully I will have a busy few weeks in July bringing in fresh blood."
This game will not be an easy one for either side. In the reverse fixture in March, Waterford had to come from behind to secure a win at Lissywoollen and last season saw the teams play out four draws. Athlone also boast a better away record than home this season. They have taken 10 points from their six away games and will be confident of making it three league defeats in a row for their hosts.
Waterford will be without the services of top-scorer Willie John Kiely who is suspended, but captain and goalkeeper Mick Devine will play despite limping out of the Carrigaline game with a knee problem. Henderson has also added to the Blues’ small squad by bringing midfielder Dave Warren back to the club and he will go straight into contention for this match. Athlone meanwhile have also been quick to bolster their squad. Brendan Place has added Tadgh Murphy, Tom O’ Halloran and Mick Byrne to his squad and all three should be eligible to play in this one.
Extratime.ie Prediction: This will be a close encounter and neither side will have it easy. I predict a tight 2-1 victory for the home side.
Waterford had a poor game last time out in the league. The Suirsiders never really got going in Tolka Park and could have lost by a wider margin. They have however won since that game, brushing non-league side Carrigaline aside to advance to the fourth round of the FAI Cup. Waterford ran out 6-0 winners against the Cork team and manager Stephen Henderson highlighted the game’s significance as a prelude to this encounter. "It was good to get back to basics again after losing our last two league games. No disrespect to Carrigaline, but this was all about Athlone next Friday. We had to get back to doing what we are good at and thankfully we did that here tonight."
"Coming up to the break, it's fair to say we're having an excellent campaign so far, winning the Munster Senior Cup, we're in the semi-final of the League [EA Sports] Cup, into the last 16 of the FAI Cup and three points off the top of the league, it's so far so good and the players have been magnificent for us. But we have to be honest and say that we need the midfield players to start rowing in with goals now. While there's no doubt that the two boys [strikers Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins] are on fire, if you take their goals out of the equation we could actually be in a bit of trouble, so hopefully now the midfielders will start to create and take chances in front of goal. You saw tonight that we only had three players on the bench after losing Paul and Alan Carey to injury so we're down to the bare bones at the moment, and I'm hopeful that we can sign a couple of players during the July transfer window. If we are to be serious about winning the league we will need new faces, hopefully I will have a busy few weeks in July bringing in fresh blood."
This game will not be an easy one for either side. In the reverse fixture in March, Waterford had to come from behind to secure a win at Lissywoollen and last season saw the teams play out four draws. Athlone also boast a better away record than home this season. They have taken 10 points from their six away games and will be confident of making it three league defeats in a row for their hosts.
Waterford will be without the services of top-scorer Willie John Kiely who is suspended, but captain and goalkeeper Mick Devine will play despite limping out of the Carrigaline game with a knee problem. Henderson has also added to the Blues’ small squad by bringing midfielder Dave Warren back to the club and he will go straight into contention for this match. Athlone meanwhile have also been quick to bolster their squad. Brendan Place has added Tadgh Murphy, Tom O’ Halloran and Mick Byrne to his squad and all three should be eligible to play in this one.
Extratime.ie Prediction: This will be a close encounter and neither side will have it easy. I predict a tight 2-1 victory for the home side.
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