Preview: Waterford United vs Monaghan United
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After a comprehensive defeat to Shelbourne last week, Waterford United will be looking to bounce back with a win over Monaghan United at the RSC on Friday night. The loss at Tolka Park ensured Waterford currently reside six points behind pace setters Dundalk, and one behind their conquerors last Friday, in the race for a place in the Premier Division.
Gareth Cronin has no injury worries ahead of the game, although striker Karl Bermingham serves the second of a two game ban after his sending off against Limerick in April. After an impressive cameo appearance against Shelbourne, the former Manchester City and Burnley hit-man could have been in line for a starting berth up front so his loss is a not inconsiderable blow to the Suirsiders.
Elsewhere, Luke Fitzpatrick will be pushing to make the starting eleven after being one of the few Blues' players to impress last week. Kenny Browne is expected to recover from a bout of food poisoning so if Fitzpatrick is to start, he may do so in the middle of the park. While the Shelbourne game was only Waterford's second defeat of the season, a win against Monaghan is seen as a must for them in order to maintain any sort of credible promotion push.
The history books will be of no encouragement to the home side. The last six games (five of which were league games) between these sides have finished all square, the last of which came in February 06 in a pre-season friendly. In Waterford, the name Monaghan United instantly evokes memories of the 1993 promotion/relegation play off which the border county won 3-0 on aggregate.
The away side will also be buoyed by last week's victory over Sporting Fingal. After a decent start to the season, two wins from their first three games, Monaghan lost three on the spin before the clash with Fingal. Philip Sheppard's 72nd minute goal, his second of the campaign, settled the affair and that strike saw Monaghan go level on points with Longford and Wexford Youths. A win on Friday could potentially see them climb to fourth spot. Monaghan have no injury worries going into the game.
Kick off is at 7:45pm.
