Credit:
Waterford United -v- Monaghan United
- Brendan White
- Thu, Oct 08 2009
Promotion-chasing Waterford United welcome Monaghan United to the RSC this Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm) as they look to get their promotion bid back on track having dropped two crucial points last weekend with a 1-1 draw away to Finn Harps.
Despite going ahead early in the second half, missing numerous excellent chances and having a last gasp goal disallowed, a lapse at the back ultimately cost the Blues.
The scheduled game with Shelbourne on Tuesday had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following heavy rain throughout the day in the south east.
The Blues will looking for victory after dropping two points at the weekend, but Stephen Henderson's men will not be taking Monaghan lightly. Waterford coasted to a 6-0 victory at the RSC earlier in the season, but struggled to overcome a determined Monaghan side at KCP in July and had to settle for a 0-0.
Graham Cummins notched four of the six Blues goals in that 6-0 victory to mark his talent as a top goalscorer.
Waterford have no suspensions with Paul McCarthy remaining out after undergoing surgery earlier this season. Alan Carey remains a doubt having limped off in the 1-0 win against Longford Town with a slight calf problem.
Kenny Browne returns from suspension which should allow top striker to return to his striking role, having filled into his natural centre back position.
Henderson also received a significant boost last weekend when David Grincell came on as a second half substitute against Finn Harps; well ahead of the expected recuperation time, having broken his wrist against Crumlin United back in August.
Monaghan come into the game on the back of some positive results and are unbeaten in their last four games. They beat Finn Harps 1-0 in their midweek game after coming from behind to grab a point against Sporting Fingal last weekend.
Manager Mick Cooke described the Finn Harps game as a “positive result.”
“It was probably a bit frustrating for the home supporters that we didn’t wrap up the points earlier, the one goal lead definitely kept them on their toes. We had to settle for the single goal win in the finish but otherwise it was a good positive performance considering that we only had come through a tough game at the weekend against Sporting Fingal”.
Cooke knows the quality that Waterford possess and doesn’t expect a similar 6-0 scoreline this time: “Having missed out on promotion last year Waterford are keen not to make the same mistake this year," Cooke said. “They are most likely to go up and can probably win the First Division, so I am expecting a tough test at the RSC.
“We are a much improved side since that game. Once again I should have a strong panel to pick from. On recent form we are well capable of getting a positive result.”
Monaghan have an almost full squad to choose from with Cathal O'Connor suspended and Sean Brennan out through injury, the only two absentees.
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 to Waterford Utd. Despite a frustrating 0-0 draw last time, the Blues should have enough to see off Monaghan this time. The Blues need to win to stay in with a chance of promotion this season.
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.