Longford Town -v- Waterford United

LONGFORD TOWN
Longford Town will be hoping to make it four wins out of four when they entertain Waterford United in Flancare Park on Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Town have made the perfect start to the season winning their opening three fixtures and are the only Airtricity League side to have a 100% record. It’s only the second time in their history that the club have won their first three league games; the last time was in the 1985-86 season when the legendary Billy Bagster was in charge.

Waterford United will provide the Town with their toughest test of the season so far but they have a decent home record against the Blues in recent years; they have won four of the last five meetings between the sides at Flancare Park.

Once again Town manager Tony Cousins will have to plan without the services of the injured Austin Skelly, Craig Walsh, Jeff Flood and Niall O’Reilly. Keith Gillespie misses the game after being sent-off in the 2-1 win against Wexford Youths last weekend. Gillespie had started the season well and will be a big loss.


WATERFORD UNITED
After making a disastrous start to the season Waterford United have bounced back with two wins from their last two games the most impressive being a 3-1 home win to League favourites Limerick a fortnight ago.

Those results have given the Blues a boost of confidence and they will be looking to record another win against a side who also have promotion aspirations.

Waterford have a few injuries to contend with for this game with some key defenders missing; Seamus Long is suspended while David Breen and John Frost are injured. Forwards Gary Keane and Adam McSherry also remain on the injury list. Blues hope Daragh Walshe and Peter White both recover from injury for the game. Sean Maguire and Jack Doherty return from Schools International duty.
 

Speaking to the Waterford United website manager Paul O’Brien is optimistic ahead of the trip despite having key players missing. “Hopefully, despite a growing injury list, we can get a good result against the league leaders. We have half a dozen lads in various stages of recovery, and more playing with niggles that probably need rest, but they’re playing through the pain barrier to make themselves available for us.”

 

Referee: Darren Coombes

 

MATCH STATS
Home advantage proved the difference between these two sides last season; the Town won the two meetings in Flancare Park while Waterford United claimed victory in the RSC.

Waterford’s last win at the Midlands venue came in October 2010.

In the overall head to head in league meetings Waterford United have won 25, Longford Town 14 and 14 games have ended in a draw.

 

BETTING
Odds: Longford Town 11/10; Draw 11/5; Waterford United 9/4.

PREDICTION
Longford Town to win a tight game 1-0.

Longford Town Injury News: Austin Skelly, Jeff Flood, Craig Walsh, Niall O’Reilly
Longford Town Suspended: Keith Gillespie


Waterford United Injury News: Adam McSherry, Gary Keane, David Breen, John Frost
Waterford United Suspended: Seamus Long