League Preview: Waterford -v- Longford Town

WATERFORD

Waterford welcome First Division rivals Longford Town to the RSC on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Blues began their 2023 campaign with an impressive win away to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park and they will be confident they can repeat the trick at home to Longford.

Wassim Aouachria netted a remarkable hat-trick against James Keddy’s side and underlined the Blues pre-season tag as title-favourites.

And the striker told the Extratime Podcast this week: “I can’t wait (to play against Longford). I miss playing in front of the home fans...

“Last week was an away game but it felt like we were at home. I missed that place and the end of last season was amazing.

“I think we had crowds of over 2,000 at every game – and for the game against Shelbourne we had over 5,000 fans there.

“The fans have been brilliant and hopefully we can give them a result on Friday.”

Waterford are expected to be without injured goalkeeper Matthew Connor through injury on Friday night.

LONGFORD TOWN



After stumbling to an opening day defeat at home to local rivals Athlone Town, Longford will be looking to make an instant response on Friday night at the RSC.

Longford impressed at the RSC last season, but having lost a number of key players during the off-season they return to the venue with a point to prove.

Stephen Henderson’s side attracted a bumper opening night attendance of 1,514 fans to Bishopsgate – and a win against the First Division title favourites may go a long way to keeping their crowd numbers up.

Since then, Longford were dumped out of the Leinster Senior Cup by Crumlin United after making a raft of changes to their starting XI.

But with Henderson adding a new face to his squad before Wednesday’s transfer deadline Gary Armstrong will be keen to make their mark.

However, new recruit Aaron Walsh continues to miss out after picking up an injury in pre-season.   



Referee: Gavin Colfer.

 

MATCH STATS

Longford Town were unbeaten against Waterford last season at the RSC, winning and drawing once at the venue.

In their last visit to the South-East, Sam Verdon netted a dramatic late winner for De Town to claim a 2-1 win.

But Longford failed to pick up a point against the Blues at Bishopsgate last term, with Waterford claiming 2-1 and 3-0 wins.

PREDICTION

Waterford 3 - 0 Longford Town

Waterford

Injured: Mathew Connor.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Aaron Walsh.

Doubtful: James Doona.

Suspended: None.