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Waterford United -v- Athlone Town
- Brendan White
- Thu, Oct 21 2010
Promotion chasing Waterford United welcome Athlone Town to the RSC this Friday evening in a vital Airtricity First Division clash.
With just two games remaining, Waterford are in pole position for the final play-off spot and a win would set up a final day showdown with Shelbourne. The sides have so far played out two draws this season. The game in the RSC finished 0-0 while a Michael Schlingermann man of the match performance in Athlone earned a 1-1 draw.
Last weekend saw both sides pick up three points. The home side beat Longford Town 2-0 with both goals coming from Willie John Kiely. Athlone Town on the other hand defeated Wexford Youths 3-1 in Ferrycarrig Park, goals from Austin Skelly (2) and Daniel O’Reilly enough for the win.
Blues manager Stephen Henderson is looking forward to the game but is expecting a tough game. “We are now just behind Monaghan and we have another massive game against Athlone at home next. They have troubled us this season and will be on a high after winning in Wexford. Their manager Brendan Place has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season and his players will give everything for him in the last two games, so we will have to be at our best to beat them, but I believe we will beat them. We are in a great position and we must cement that position and go out to secure second place and get home advantage in the play-off match."
Alan Carey returns from suspension while John Kearney and Paul Walsh have mild ankle strains but are expected to be available for selection on Friday.
Athlone Town travel to Waterford looking to spoil end the home side’s promotion hopes. With two credible draws against Waterford this season, Brendan Place’s side will be confident of pulling off another surprise.
David Breen returns to the squad following last week’s suspension. Brendan Place remains without Gordon Watson and Niall Scullion with knee injuries. Declan O’Brien and Denis Moran will sit this one out through suspension while Richie O’Hanlon has returned to his home club Crumlin United for the junior season. Eoghan O’Shea remains unavailable due to commitments in Holland with the Republic of Ireland military team.
Venue: RSC
Referee: P. Caschera
paddypower.com odds: Waterford United 2/7 Draw 7/2 Athlone Town 15/2
Waterford United
Doubtful: John Kearney, Paul Walsh
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Athlone Town
Doubtful: None
Injured: Gordon Watson, Niall Scullion
Suspended: Declan O’Brien, Denis Moran
Unavailable: Eoghan O’Shea (International Duty)
Extratime.ie Prediction: Waterford have been in good form lately and should have too much for Athlone. 2-1 to Waterford.
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.