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Waterford United -v- Finn Harps
- Brendan White
- Fri, Sep 09 2011
Finn Harps make the long trip south this Friday night as they look for their second win against Waterford United this season. Kick-off, 7.45pm.
Waterford United sit sixth in the First Division table on 29 points from a possible 66, while Finn Harps have 25 points from 69 on offer so far. The home side were forced to grind out a 1-0 win in March but Harps got revenge with a 1-0 win in Ballybofey thanks to a 34th minute Kevin McHugh.
The Blues come into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup; the manner of the performance most worrying for the home side. Harps will be in a confident mood after a scoreless draw at home to promotion chasing Monaghan United, holding on despite 32th minute Gareth Harkin red card.
Harps have taken 10 points from their last five games, defeated only by Limerick and wins against Wexford Youths, Athlone Town and Mervue United. The Blues have won just once in their last five with a 5-1 win against Athlone Town.
Waterford boss Paul O’Brien welcomes back Willie John Kiely, Michael Coady and Adam McSherry following injury, while Paul Phelan returns having been cup-tied last week. John Hayes is available for selection after re-signing last weekend. Conor Sinnott is out with a hamstring tear.
"That was a very disappointing performance”, commented O’Brien after last weekend’s cup defeat to St. Pat’s. “Perhaps it was nerves, but almost every player failed to perform and there is no doubt that we lacked the appetite for the game. St Pat's are a very good team and we knew each and every player would have to step up to the plate but that did not happen. We will get behind the players for the remainder of the season and adopt a professional attitude, starting against Finn Harps."
Gareth Harkin will sit the game out through suspension for Finn Harps after his red-card last week. Aaron O’Hagan misses the game having picked up four yellow cards but Packie Mailey is back training and could make his first appearance since June.
“It’s a daunting journey especially if you don’t come back with any points on the board, so we’ll be going down looking for all three points. And given the way the boys have been playing recently they are looking forward to the trip now,” said Hutton. “It’s part of the incentive to try and get a result. We’re trying to pull in the teams just above us, so a win would be great for us in that sense. But there’s no getting away from it that it’s a difficult place to go and they’re a difficult team to play against.”
“We beat them at Finn Park earlier in the season but for the last ten minutes it was all hands on deck,” said Hutton. “They just threw everything at us and became very direct. They’re a very physical side, so we’ll have to be on our toes at all times.”
Harps haven’t won at the RSC in ten years, and their last four trips there have all resulted in defeats.
Waterford United
Injuries: Conor Sinnott
Doubtful: None.
Suspended:None.
Finn Harps
Injuries: None
Doubtful: Packie Mailey.
Suspended:Gareth Harkin, Aaron O’Hagan.
Referee: Sean Grant.
Paddypower.com Odds: Waterford United 8/13 Draw 5/2 Finn Harps 4/1.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Waterford’s injuries have eased and that should steer them to a narrow victory.
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.