Credit:
Monaghan United -v- Waterford United
- Extratime Team
- Thu, Apr 15 2010
Monaghan United welcome Airtricity First Division leaders Waterford United to Gortakeegan on Friday night hoping they can end the Blues 100% league record.
Monaghan have been on fire lately with back to back 6-1 victories over Tullamore Town and Salthill Devon. Although unlikely to make it a trio of six goal victories, manager Mick Cooke is hoping for at least the right result come Friday night.
“Although we have only half the point’s tally of Waterford nonetheless we have had a good start to this season. In the last couple of games it was encouraging to see the lads who had been out injured recovered. We had mixed fortunes against Waterford last season so I am expecting a tough game with hopefully a good result.”
Cooke will have to plan without the services of Shane Grimes and Darragh Hanaphy but has no suspensions to contend with.
Waterford have won six games from six in the league. They have had the upper hand, only just, on the border club in the past two seasons, and the last seven meetings have yielded two wins apiece and three draws, with the Blues scoring the more goals, but they haven't recorded a victory at Gortakeegan in many years, back to the 1997-98 season.
Manager Stephen Henderson is aware of how hard the challenge on Friday will be.
"We know that we have a very tough game against Monaghan United on Friday night but we'll take one game at a time."
Henderson will have an almost full panel to choose from, with only long-term injury absentee Kevin Waters out of the running for a place. New signing George O'Callaghan should be available to make his debut, after international clearance was obtained this week. There are no suspensions in operation.
Venue: Gortakeegan
Referee: J. McLoughlin
Paddypower.com odds: Monaghan United 21/10, Draw 11/5, Waterford United 11/10
Monaghan United
Suspended: None
Injured: A Shane Grimes and Darragh Hanaphy
Doubtful: None
Waterford United
Suspended: None
Injured: Kevin Waters
Doubtful: None
Extratime Prediction: 1-2
