League Preview: Waterford -v- Shamrock Rovers
Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
Mid-table Waterford lock horns with the current league leaders Shamrock Rovers in a mouth-watering Monday night football clash in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the RSC (kick-off 7pm).
WATERFORD
The Blues will look to get back into the winning habit quickly with a home win over high flying Rovers tomorrow evening to get their league season back on track and avoid losing more ground on the chasing pack.
Waterford succumbed to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat last Friday night at the hands of Bohemians at the RSC. The game had been quite even for most of the first half and looked to be going in 0-0 at the break only for two goals in 3 minutes to break the Waterford resolve.
First a dangerous cross by Bohs Canadian international Kris Twardek was headed into his own net by The Blues defender Sam Bone in the 42nd minute and just three minutes later the Gypsies doubled their lead thanks to a Danny Mandriou penalty after the Irish u-21 international had been brought down by a clumsy challenge from Scott Allardice.
The Blues tried desperately to claw their way back into the game but were unable to breach the Bohemians rear-guard and suffered their first league defeat of the season.
It has been a mixed start to the season for Waterford having produced a defiant performance in Richmond Park in coming away with a hard fought 1-0 win over St. Patrick’s Athletic in the opening weekend before being tamed by the Gypsies last Friday night.
Waterford boss Alan Reynolds had no complaints about the result against Bohs and felt his side didn’t do themselves justice on the night telling www.waterfordfc.ie, “I thought that we lacked that bit of quality at times during the game.I thought that it was easier for us to defend against the conditions in the first half if I’m honest and you could see that in the second half where it was easy for them [Bohemians] to defend.”
Reynolds was also keen to stress the importance of patience from the fans in relation to his side’s progress this season saying to www.waterfordfc.ie, “I would remind people though that we have a group of players that don’t even know each other, and they are still trying to get to know each other. It’s going to take time and people are going to be patient with that. At times we looked every bit what we are as a new team.”
The Blues boss Reynolds is feeling optimistic about his team’s chances on Monday night but is wary of the mammoth task ahead telling www.waterfordfc.ie, “We’ve a short turn around now until our next game on Monday against Shamrock Rovers. That can be a good thing when you come off a defeat, you just hit the reset button and go at it again.
“They’re a top side. There aren’t many teams who will go out and put six past Cork like they’ve done on Friday. It’ll be a big challenge for our boys. These are the games these lads wanted to be playing in. As a player, you want to play against the highest standard of player.”
Waterford boss Alan Reynolds will now have to make do without the services of defender Scott Allardice who sustained a hip injury in the 2-0 home defeat to Bohemians. Michael O’Connor is also unavailable due to illness and Dean Walsh remains side-lined with a hamstring injury.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Rovers will make the long trip down the M9 with the objective of maintaining their 100% record this season by inflicting a second home defeat in 3 days on Waterford at the RSC.
Stephen Bradley’s men were in superb form last Friday night and tore Cork City to shreds at Tallaght Stadium hitting the Rebels for six without reply.
Graham Burke produced a five star performance bagging a whopping five goals and the match ball. The opening 30 minutes was evenly poised at 0-0 but shortly after Rovers took the lead with Burke’s first goal of the night and never looked back after that.
Burke got his second and doubled the home side’s lead right on the stroke of half-time. Cork were still in with a shout until they went down to ten men after Deshane Dalling was given an early bath following a reckless lunge on Joey O’Brien just before the break.
Rovers were in cruise control in the second half and Jack Byrne made it 3-0 just after the hour before Graham Burke completed his hat-trick in the 75 minutes and then added two more in the next five minutes which culminated in Rovers running out resounding 6-0 winners much to the delight of the home crowd.
The result has put Shamrock Rovers top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on goal difference from Dundalk after 2 rounds. The comprehensive win over Cork followed on from the bittersweet 1-0 over fierce rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park in the opening weekend.
Referee: Raymond Matthews
MATCH STATS
Their last encounter at the RSC in the 2019 season saw Rovers run out easy 5-1 winners thanks to goals from Jack Byrne, Aaron Greene and Thomas Oluwa.
In their last 8 competitive meetings since Waterford returned to the top flight in 2018 The Hoops have the vastly superior head to head record with 6 wins to The Blues one and one draw.
Waterford scored 8 goals averaging one per game while Rovers scored 17 goals averaging 2.13 per game.
Waterford are currently in 7th place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 3 points with one win and one defeat from 2 matches.
Shamrock Rovers are currently in 1st place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 6 points with 2 wins from 2 matches.
BETTING
Waterford 5/1 Draw 11/4 Shamrock Rovers ½
PREDICTION
Waterford 1-3 Shamrock Rovers
Waterford
Injured: Scott Allardice, Michael O’Connor, Dean Walsh
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: N/A
Doubtful: N/A
Suspended: N/A
