Athlone Town vs Waterford United
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With the games now coming thick and fast Waterford United travel to the midlands full of confidence ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Athlone Town (KO 7.45pm).
On Friday the Blues produced a superb display with a 4-0 demolition of Longford Town, and will be looking for more of the same against a side that have proved to be well-matched opponents this season. A scoreless draw at a gale swept Lissywoollen in March was followed by a 1-1 stalemate at the RSC two months later and the sides' fortunes in recent times remain comparable. Waterford are now unbeaten in seven matches, and Athlone, while losing to Dundalk and Sporting Fingal on the road, have been victorious in their last 4 games at home, including a win over Finn Harps in the Cup. The Blues won't dwell on that too much though; rather they'll be looking to replicate the scintillating performance that saw them climb above Shelbourne into second place courtesy of the 'goals for' column.
Manager Gareth Cronin remains wary of complacency however, and is well aware of the challenge Athlone will provide, as well as areas his own side will need to sharpen up in. He also has a couple of injury headaches ahead of the game. Goalkeeper Packie Holden suffered a nasty facial injury following an accidental collision with Darren McKenna in the first half of Friday's game, which required hospitalisation and stitches, and he must be rated extremely doubtful for Tuesday. Midfielder Gary Dunphy picked up an ankle ligament injury in training midweek, and of course Paul McCarthy remains a long-term injury absentee, but Cronin will have been delighted by the news that the midfielder's recovery has been much swifter than hoped and he should be back in light training within three weeks. Centre back Kenny Browne returns to contention after missing last week through suspension.
Cronin is fully aware of the danger of Athlone Town despite their league position.
“We have dropped 4 points against Athlone already this year. They are a better side than their position in the table suggests. We simply need to win however; there is no more room for slip ups. We need to be ruthless and go and get three points."
Athlone Town Manager Dermot Lennon will have to select his team without the services of Ian Coffey (Holiday) and David O’Dowd (arm). Jim Sheridan, Niall Scullion and Robbie Hamm who were both rested due to niggling injuries in the defeat against Sporting Fingal should be available for selection.
After Saturdays defeat a game in which the dominated for long periods manager Dermot Lennon will be looking for his team to be more clinical in front of goal.
The game kicks off at 19:45.
