Promotion Playoff Preview: Treaty United -v- Waterford

TREATY UNITED

Treaty United return to the promotion playoffs for the second straight year when they host Waterford at Markets Field in their first leg against Waterford (kick-off 7.45pm).

United managed to secure their place in the playoffs this year by a fairly narrow margin, beating out Wexford who finished in sixth place, just three points behind the Wexford side.

They will be looking to go further this year when they host Waterford with the side having been eliminated at this stage of the playoffs last year by UCD.

The Students were eventually promoted through the playoffs last season but the big shame for Treaty was that their first leg last November essentially ended their involvement in the promotion race.

Treaty were well beaten at the Markets Field, 3-0 on the night which meant that they had too high a deficit to overcome when they travelled to Belfield for the second leg, although they won 2-1 that night.

Tommy Barrett’s side are not in the greatest run of form coming into this fixture having failed to win any of their last four First Division games.

Although they could be forgiven for having an eye elsewhere with a huge FAI Cup semi-final fixture with Derry City in that run in to the end of the season – which they ended up losing, albeit on a narrow 2-1 score line at the Brandywell.

What may be more of a concern for the Limerick side is their record against the Blues this season, although they did manage to beat them once this season.

They ran out 2-1 winners last March but lost their other three meetings, 4-0, 2-1 and 3-0 respectively.

That 3-0 loss came at the RSC just a matter of weeks ago and Treaty will have to look at tightening up at the back if they are to stand any chance of progressing in the playoffs – key for Tommy Barrett will be at least ensuring his side have a fighting chance when they travel to Waterford for the second leg this weekend.

WATERFORD

The Blues are deservedly the favourites to progress through the playoffs, despite their mid-season drop off in form and managerial change they have been spectacular in the last few months.

Manager Danny Searle arrived at the club in June and led the side to a second placed finish, just four points off the champions Cork City – even managing to unseat Galway United who looked destined for at least second place for much of the season.

The Blues finished the league campaign with a flourish with five wins in a row, including a hefty 3-0 victory over their playoff opponents.

Like Treaty they also had a cup semi-final to distract them in the run in to the end of the season, but it didn’t seem to shake their league form, they also missed out on a trip to the Aviva when they lost 1-0 to Shelbourne earlier this month.

“We’re looking forward to the game and we can’t wait for it to come around. The players are ready to get going and we look forward to kick off,” Danny Searle said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We’ve done so well as a team and club to finish second and come into the game in good form, but in cup-style knockouts like the playoffs we need to make sure we perform on the day when form can go out the window a little.

“We’ve seen the support we’ve got over the past few months and we know there’ll be a big crowd travelling on Wednesday and the players want to give those fans something to shout about in Markets Field before bringing the tie back to the RSC on Saturday.”

In team news Brian Murphy is back in the squad while experienced defender Eddie Nolan is still recovering from injury.

Referee: Damien MacGraith

MATCH STATS

Waterford have a superior record over Treaty United this season with the Blues winning three of the four meetings between the side.

PREDICTION

Treaty United 0–1 Waterford

Treaty United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: N/A.

Waterford

Injured: Eddie Nolan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.