Credit:
Shelbourne -v- Waterford United
- Brendan White
- Sat, Oct 30 2010
Shelbourne and Waterford United face each other on the final day of the First Division on Saturday night with both looking to secure a place in the promotion play offs. Kick-Off 7.45pm.
Both sides come into the game on the back of hard fought wins last weekend. Shelbourne scored an early penalty and held on for the three points. Waterford United made hard work of their 3-2 win at home to Athlone, having to come from behind twice and score a 93rd minute winner.
Shelbourne remain without the long term injured Dinny Corcoran (knee). Philly Gorman (ankle)and Sean Byrne (hamstring)are both also expected to be absent having been injured last week and in training respectively.
“We’ve given ourselves a right chance to get into the play-offs on Saturday night and we know what we have to do.” Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews said. Mathews has also urged “people to come out and give their support. If we get everyone behind us on Saturday night, hopefully it will push us over the line”.
Waterford United must plan without striker Vinny Sullivan, who dislocated his shoulder against Athlone last weekend, but would have missed out through suspension anyway. Paul Walsh and Paul Murphy both have ankle injuries but are expected to be fit.
“We will now head to Shelbourne in great heart”, Waterford United boss Stephen Henderson said. “We have won up there already this season, and there is no reason why we can’t win there again. We did not do ourselves justice in the home game, so this is our opportunity to put things right. I know that a draw will do us, but we will be going there to win, have no doubt about that. Playing for a draw would be foolish and we will not fall into that trap.”
Shelbourne have lost just one of their last eight games, winning seven, while Waterford United have won six and lost one of their last eight. The sides have one win each against each other this season. Shels defeated Waterford 3-0 in the RSC in impressive style, but Waterford won the opening game 1-0 in at the beginning of the season.
With Derry City playing Monaghan United, the permutations are a plenty. Potentially Waterford could still win the league but would take an unlikely set of results, but could also end up outside the play off positions. Shelbourne on the other hand require nothing less than a win.
Venue: Tolka Park
Referee: Graham Kelly
paddypower.com odds: Shelbourne 6/5 Draw 11/5 Waterford United 15/8
Shelbourne
Doubtful: None
Injured: Dinny Corcoran, Philly Gorman, Sean Byrne.
Suspended: None
Waterford United
Doubtful: Paul Murphy, Paul Walsh
Injured: Vinny Sullivan
Suspended: Vinny Sullivan
Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1. A very tight game tonight with both sides in good form.
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.