- Patrick O'Connor
- Fri, Mar 03 2023
WATERFORD FC
Two teams with serious ambitions to take the automatic promotion route back to the Premier Division clash for the first time this season with hosts Waterford FC entertaining Galway United at the RSC ( kick off 7.45 pm).
Both teams were in contention for promotion last season but neither side could catch Cork City who were promoted automatically, although Waterford went close with only four points separating them from City at the conclusion of the First Division.
Waterford did get a second bite of the cherry when they made it to the play off stages but they were unable to overcome UCD who won 1-0 and secured their place in the top flight for the 2023 season.
The Blues got off to a flying start to the new season with a 3-0 away win at Wexford, with French born striker Wassim Aouachria netting a hat trick, but they will have been very disappointed not to follow that up with a first win in front of their home supporter’s last weekend.
They got off to the perfect start against Longford Town going into a 1-0 lead after only six minutes when Barry Baggley’s cross was headed into his own net by defender Darragh Lynch for an own goal.
They did not build on this lead however and conceded an equaliser in the 56th minute when Longford’s Mohammed Boudiaf headed in at the far post to make it 1-1.
Head Coach Danny Searle expressed his disappointment with the performance when he spoke to the Waterford FC media team after the game. “We started the game really well, with a good tempo and we were causing them all sorts of problems,” said Searle.
He added: “We had the opportunities to kill the game off but in the second half we looked bored, we looked like we did not want to continue doing the things well. However, we said to the players we still have 34 games yet to play, we will go back to the training ground and do our work but we all agree the standard of that performance was not good enough.’’
Searles also looked ahead to the Galway clash, saying “We had challenging games against Galway last season before we also met them in the play offs. We know John has recruited well and they are pushing for the same success as we are – promotion.
“The First Division this season will be even more competitive than last season and Galway will be right up there at the end of the season so we can’t be complacent.’’
GALWAY UNITED
John Caulfield is in his third season as manager of Galway United and he will be hoping it will be third time lucky as he attempts to take his troops back to the Premier Division, the club having last played in the top tier in 2017.
They have got off to the perfect start in the 2023 season recording two wins, one away and one at home in Eamonn Deacy Park.
American born Vince Borden scored both goals in his first outing for the Tribesmen when they overcame Finn Harps at a wet Finn Park in Ballybofey on the opening night of the league. They followed that up with another win against Treaty United at home last weekend, a 37th minute goal from former Cork City and Finn Harps player Rob Slevin the difference between the two sides.
Caulfield was delighted to keep a clean sheet against the Limerick side and he spoke to the Galway Advertiser during the week saying “We defended really well from the frees and the long throws. Our only regret is that we created a number of good chances but didn’t seal the game earlier.”
The manager heaped praise on his veteran goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, a close season signing from Shelbourne.
“Brendan has won leagues and cups. He is highly experienced, calm and composed. He is a great talker and great distributor. This breeds confidence throughout the team.”
Looking ahead to their trip to the South East on Friday, Caulfield said “There has been some turnover in the Waterford ranks, but they remain strong. Wassim [Aouchria] scored three against Wexford. They still have a nucleus of last year’s team, but have brought in Clarke, Bagley, Parsons and McMenamin. They have replaced the players they lost with really talented players.”
On the player fitness front, there are concerns over the fitness of Conor McCormack and David Hurley, who both picked up knocks on Friday, with the manager rating McCormack only 50/50.
Academy graduate Steven Healy is back in contention this week however following a recent injury.
Referee: Alan Patchell
MATCH STATS
The two teams met five times in total last year with two wins each and one drawn game.
The most significant of those games was undoubtedly the last one, a promotion play off final in the Markets Field in Limerick last November. Waterford ran out comfortable winners of that match winning by 3-0, the goals coming from Junior Quitirna (2) and Wassim Aouachria.
BETTING
Waterford FC 21/10; Draw 12/5; Galway United 21/10
PREDICTION
Waterford FC 2 - 2 Galway United
Waterford FC
Injured: Matthew Connor
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Galway United
Injured: None
Doubtful: Conor McCormack, David Hurley
Suspended: None
