Longford Town -v- Waterford United
Credit:
LONGFORD TOWN
After drawing their last two games Longford Town have slipped to second-place in the table. Performances have been poor of late and they really need to up their game if they want to get something against third place Waterford United.
Their inability to put away the chances they created cost them victory against Athlone Town a fortnight ago as they near neighbours held on for a point while down in Ferrycarrig Park last weekend they were fortunate to come away with a 1-1 draw against 10 men Wexford Youths.
Town have beaten Waterford twice this season; two goals from Des Hope helped them to a 3-2 win in their first meeting at Flancare Park while goals from Austin Skelly and Michael Lee gave them a 2-0 win down at the RSC. It was a game Waterford will feel they should’ve got something out of.
Austin Skelly is yet again missing through injury for this one, Jeff Flood has been ruled out for the rest of the season and Michael Lee is also out after sustaining a bang to the head down in Wexford. The good news is Willo McDonagh and Des Hope return from suspension and injury respectively.
Speaking to extratime.ie Town boss Tony Cousins is aware of how important every game is now. “It’s a big game but every week is a big game. Just because Waterford are coming doesn’t make it any bigger. To be fair to them they’ve picked up some good results but the way it is we’ve only been beaten twice this season. We just need to make sure that we are on our game. I’ve no doubt the lads will definitely be up for it and we’ll put on a good performance.”
WATERFORD UNITED
Waterford United travel to Flancare Park as the Division’s in-form side, having won their last six games.
The Blues are just four points behind the Town so they’ll be hoping to close that gap as the final series of games approaches.
A 2-1 win at home to Limerick two weeks ago gave their title challenge a boost and that was followed up by a 3-0 victory over bottom side SD Galway last weekend.
Darragh Walshe and Gary Dunphy are ruled out for this game and they have been joined on the treatment table by Peter Higgins while Paul Carey is suspended. Peter Keegan and Willie John Kiely are rated 50/50 for the game. Paul Phelan and Aiden McGrath return from injury.
First team coach is in confident mood ahead of the trip to the Midlands. “To win ten games from eleven tells its own story and now we will head to Longford in great heart. We've been very unlucky to lose to them twice this season, so we will not fear them in the least. In Flancare Park we were the better team and Gary Dempsey and Gary Dunphy scored two wonderful goals that night, but we still lost which was disappointing. We will have no fear when we make our way up there.''
Referee: Sean Grant
MATCH STATS
Longford Town have won their last three meetings at home to Waterford Utd.
Waterford United have won 10 games out of 11; their only defeat was at home to the Town in May.
The last time these two sides played out a draw was back in 2008.
BETTING
Odds: Longford Town 13/10; Draw 11/4; Waterford Utd 15/8.
PREDICTION
Longford Town have been poor of late while Waterford Utd are very much the in-form side; 2-1 to the visitors.
Longford Town Injury News: Austin Skelly, Jeff Flood, Michael Lee.
Longford Town Suspended: None
Waterford Utd Injury News: Daragh Walshe, Gary Dunphy, Peter Higgins.
Waterford Utd Suspended: Paul Carey
