Credit:
Waterford United -v- Finn Harps
- Brendan White
- Fri, Mar 25 2011
Waterford United go in search of a first win of the season as they welcome Finn Harps to the RSC this Friday evening. (Kick-off 7.45pm)
Week four of the season and the home side are still in search of a win and, more worryingly, a goal. An opening day scoreless draw against Athlone Town was followed up with a 2-0 defeat away to Monaghan United. Week three saw no league game but a successful 3-0 friendly win against Newbridge Town will have the Blues in a positive mood heading into the game.
Finn Harps have opened their campaign with back-to-back home 2-2 draws against Limerick and Monaghan United. Harps lead twice in both games but still only managed to pick up a point in both. Harps’ trip to Athlone was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Waterford United are without striker Paul Murphy for the match through suspension, though would have missed the game through injury anyway. Paul Carey and Brian Nolan return to the squad after making a return from injury in last week’s friendly; both impressive throughout. Last season’s top scorer Willie John Kiely also returns for selection. Defender David Breen is rated 50:50 after jarring his knee in training.
Stephen Henderson believes his side are capable of getting positive results. "The lads are getting more familiar with each other, and a better understanding will be developed over the coming games. One point from six is not a great return from our first two matches, but we do believe we are on the verge of our first win, and when we do, this squad is capable of putting a very good run of results together.”
Mark Forker and Tommy Bonner are both suspended for the match following recent red cards. Garbhan Friel, Christy Conaghan and Marc Brolly are all out injured while Paddy McLaughlin is rated as doubtful.
“They’re a big, physical team and obviously we’ll have to approach the game slightly different to what we did for the Monaghan game”, Harps boss James Gallagher said. “With Brolly, Forker and Bonnar out it leaves you short of three important players but it’s not so bad because we can call on the likes Oisin McMenamin, Gary Merritt, Keith Cowan, Aaron O’Hagan and Raymond too; they’ll all be in contention for a spot in the team.”
The Donegal side have lost their last three visits to Waterford, scoring just once, and that a late consolation in the most recent encounter. The sides drew 3-3 in the 2007 play-off, Harps winning 6-3 on aggregate.
The return of Willie John Kiely should give the Blues the upper hand, with suspensions and injuries in the Harps squad, a home win looks most likely.
Waterford United
Injured: Paul Murphy (Toe)
Doubtful: David Breen (Knee)
Suspended: Paul Murphy
Finn Harps
Injured: Marc Brolly (ankle), Garbhan Friel (knee), Christy Conaghan (knee)
Doubtful: Paddy McLaughlin (groin)
Suspended: Mark Forker, Tommy Bonner
Referee: Sean Grant
Paddypower.com Odds: Waterford United 8/13 Draw 12/5 Finn Harps 9/2
Extratime.ie Prediction: A very tight 2-1 win for the home side.
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.