Waterford United -v- Athlone Town
Credit:
Mike Kerley returns to his old club on Friday night as Athlone Town travel south to face Waterford United. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Both sides begin the season with a different look to their sides. Athlone Town have replaced Brendan Place with Mike Kerley who has set about the task of building a new teams. For Waterford United, a whole new midfield has been brought in after a raft of players left the club.
Mike Kerley has a full squad to call from for the match with no suspensions or major injuries to report although a number of players are carrying slight knocks but it is unlikely anyone will miss out on selection due to these.
Stephen Henderson on the other hand could be without up to six players. Striker Willie John Kiely and right back Paul Carey are definitely out for this week with facial injuries.
Paul Murphy (toe) and midfielder Brian Nolan (ankle) are doubtful for the game but could be okay to play. Centre-half Kenny Browne (hip) should be fit to play, but may not be risked. Full-back Michael Coady is suspended following his sending off against Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup.
Speaking ahead of the game, Stephen Henderson knows the league will be a lot tougher this season. “We've put together a squad that we're hoping is going to challenge. But on the back of that, Cork have strengthened really well, Shels have strengthened really well, Limerick, Finn Harps, Longford, the list goes on, so it's going to be hugely difficult.”
"We though it was difficult last year with Derry coming down, but with the demise of Sporting Fingal, with their players distributed more evenly around the clubs, decent players have filtered down into the First Division, so it's going to be very tough again. We're still a very young squad, and we still haven't gelled."
"Pre-season has went well, fitness-wise we're going well, but as a team we still haven't nailed it yet, so hopefully that will be done in time for Friday."
The last 10 matches between these two sides have been very tight affairs with only one goal separating the sides on four occasions along with five draws.
Venue: RSC.
Referee: Graham Kelly
Waterford United
Injured: Willie John Kiely, Paul Carey
Doubtful: Paul Murphy, Brian Nolan, Kenny Browne.
Suspended: Michael Coady.
Athlone Town
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Extratime.ie prediction: 2-0 to the home side.
Both sides begin the season with a different look to their sides. Athlone Town have replaced Brendan Place with Mike Kerley who has set about the task of building a new teams. For Waterford United, a whole new midfield has been brought in after a raft of players left the club.
Mike Kerley has a full squad to call from for the match with no suspensions or major injuries to report although a number of players are carrying slight knocks but it is unlikely anyone will miss out on selection due to these.
Stephen Henderson on the other hand could be without up to six players. Striker Willie John Kiely and right back Paul Carey are definitely out for this week with facial injuries.
Paul Murphy (toe) and midfielder Brian Nolan (ankle) are doubtful for the game but could be okay to play. Centre-half Kenny Browne (hip) should be fit to play, but may not be risked. Full-back Michael Coady is suspended following his sending off against Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup.
Speaking ahead of the game, Stephen Henderson knows the league will be a lot tougher this season. “We've put together a squad that we're hoping is going to challenge. But on the back of that, Cork have strengthened really well, Shels have strengthened really well, Limerick, Finn Harps, Longford, the list goes on, so it's going to be hugely difficult.”
"We though it was difficult last year with Derry coming down, but with the demise of Sporting Fingal, with their players distributed more evenly around the clubs, decent players have filtered down into the First Division, so it's going to be very tough again. We're still a very young squad, and we still haven't gelled."
"Pre-season has went well, fitness-wise we're going well, but as a team we still haven't nailed it yet, so hopefully that will be done in time for Friday."
The last 10 matches between these two sides have been very tight affairs with only one goal separating the sides on four occasions along with five draws.
Venue: RSC.
Referee: Graham Kelly
Waterford United
Injured: Willie John Kiely, Paul Carey
Doubtful: Paul Murphy, Brian Nolan, Kenny Browne.
Suspended: Michael Coady.
Athlone Town
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Extratime.ie prediction: 2-0 to the home side.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile