League Preview: Waterford -v- Treaty United

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WATERFORD

Keith Long has called on Waterford to be ready for the play-offs ahead of their final league game of the season against Treaty United at the RSC (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Blues have stumbled to the finishing line in the First Division over the last couple of weeks – but that is insignificant in the grand scheme of things with the play-offs looming.

As such, they even drew 1-1 away to Kerry last weekend at Mounthawk Park.

“We were disappointed to drop points last Saturday in Kerry,” Long said. “But with the game on Tuesday too we had to freshen the team with two games and lots of travel in the week.

“We controlled much of the game and they scored from our mistakes but our reaction after making some changes was excellent.

“We showed a lot of quality when we needed to and finished the game really strongly.

“Our focus is on the games ahead now and to keep trying to improve where we can. We’ve got some really good players and have got to be ready to attack the playoffs.

“We have a game against Treaty United on Friday and then we’re into the play-offs. That’s the focus now.

“We’ll be a threat and a danger to any team that we’ll play. We have belief in ourselves and we’ll be looking to go into next week with a good display behind us.”



TREATY UNITED

Treaty United captain Marc Ludden knows Treaty United are up against it in their quest to reach the play-offs – but he is not giving up the fight yet.

The Shannonsiders must win against the Blues this evening to have any hope of overcoming Athlone Town in the race for fifth.

An Athlone defeat against Longford Town and a Treaty win would see them finish in the top-five.

An Athlone draw against Longford may also open the door for Tommy Barrett’s side if they manage to overcome their scoring difference deficit on the Co Westmeath side.

But Ludden said after his side’s loss at home to Galway United last weekend:  “We shouldn’t be in the position that we are in – we should be in the play-offs already.



“But the table never lies and we are where we are. Now we have to go to Waterford and we need other results to go our way.

“I think the three games against Cobh, Wexford and Bray killed us because we could have come out of those games with 7 points from 9.

“It’s a slight chance but we have a chance. We will go to the RSC on Friday and leave it out there. We regroup and go again.”

Referee: Chris Sheehan.

 

PREDICTION

Waterford 1-2 Treaty United

 

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Treaty United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

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