Credit:
Salthill Devon -v- Waterford United
- Simon O'Gorman
- Sat, Sep 17 2011
Bottom of the table Salthill Devon welcome Waterford United to Drom for their third Airtricity First Division encounter of the season on Saturday night. (Kick off, 7pm)
Waterford are winning the battles between these teams 6-0 on aggregate so far this season and Paul Murphy has scored in both their previous games, a 2-0 win for Waterford in Drom and a 4-0 victory at home at the RSC. In fact, Salthill represent Waterford’s only possibility for a three game clean sweep in this years First Division.
That superiority is also reflected in the league table with Waterford 20 points clear of their Galway opponents who share bottom place alongside Wexford Youths on just ten points. The relative goal difference also tells a story with a 47 goal swing between the two teams. However, recent form suggests that the sides might be more evenly matched.
Waterford have secured just five points in their last seven league outings, beating Athlone 5-1 and securing draws away to Mervue United and at home to Finn Harps last weekend. Salthill, meanwhile, have four points from the same period, managing to beat Wexford 2-1 at Drom and also picking up a point away to promotion candidates Limerick FC.
Salthill’s win against Wexford ended an eight game losing streak and perhaps the most significant aspect to Salthill’s season so far is that, in 24 league games, they have won only twice and both of those wins were against their fellow strugglers Wexford Youths. Nor should home advantage count for too much on Saturday as Drom has seen only that one win for Salthill with just one other point added to their total courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Athlone back in March.
Waterford boss Paul O’Brien will be without two players on Saturday night with full back Michael Coady suspended and midfield playmaker Conor Sinnott still out with a hamstring tear. All things considered this may not be enough of an impediment to stop the Blues taking full points.
Salthill Devon
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Luke McConnell.
Waterford United
Injured: Conor Sinnott (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Michael Coady.
Referee: Ray Matthews.
Paddy Power Odds: Salthill 8/1; Draw 16/5; Waterford 1/3.
Extratime prediction: A 2-0 win for Waterford.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and …