Preview: Sporting Fingal vs Waterford United

Waterford United travel to Morton Stadium to take on Sporting Fingal this Monday for their rescheduled eircom First Division fixture from last Friday. A win for the hosts will draw them level third with Waterford.

Liam Buckley’s side have struck a rich vein of form recently, almost identical to the visitors in fact, claiming ten from a possible twelve points in their last four games, including consecutive away wins over Athlone Town and Limerick 37 in the past week.

“Confidence levels are up from winning the recent matches, particularly with our last two coming on our travels,” said Buckley. “We scored six goals in those matches, conceding just the one through a penalty.

“Monday’s game is another important fixture for us at the start of a vital week. Waterford turned us over 2-0 at the RSC when we last played them but we’ve improved since then and another three points would be a tremendous boost.

“Waterford will view the game from a different perspective, insofar as victory would open up a six-point gap on us.”

On the injury front, Paul Malone remains absent for Sporting due to a calf strain. Stephen Caffrey will also be unavailable but is back in training and close to full fitness

Waterford’s last trip to the capital saw them comfortably beaten by Shels’ at Tolka Park a month ago. Since then wins against Monaghan United, Wexford Youths and Longford Town has put them back in contention for promotion. The Blues recent good run stuttered somewhat on Tuesday night last, as they failed to hit top gear against Athlone Town and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Gareth Cronin’s assistant manager Sean Francis stood down from that position this week to help minimise the effect of the current financial situation on the squad. Cronin will also be without first choice goalkeeper Packie Holden, who was married on Saturday. That blow has been softened somewhat by the recent return of the 2006 number one Ben Spicer after a year's sabbatical in Australia.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season saw Waterford grab a two goal win. Both sides will want a win and no less here to keep in touch with the ever improving Shelbourne at the top of the table.

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