Waterford United -v- Wexford Youths

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Jul 15 2011


Waterford United face Wexford Youths in a South East derby at the RSC on Friday night as Paul O’Brien’s men look to get back to winning ways after defeat at league leaders Shelbourne last weekend. (Kick off, 7.45pm)

Waterford had won three league games on the spin before their trip to Tolka Park last Friday but Willie John Kiely’s opener was cancelled out by goals from David Cassidy and Conan Byrne.

O’Brien will have a fully fit squad to chooses from with David Breen having recovered from an ankle injury and he also welcomes Gary Dunphy back after suspension.

Wexford boss Noel O’Connor is not so fortunate with Tom Elmes unavailable, top-scorer Danny Furlong suspended and David Grincell still out as he recovers from an appendix operation.

Wexford have had a difficult season and are on a run of eight straight defeats in the league. But five of those games have been lost by a single goal, including last Friday’s loss at home to Monaghan United.

Wexford looked well set to collect a point at Ferrycarrig Park against Roddy Collin’s side until an 86th minute goal from Michael Isichei handed them their 15th league defeat of the season.

“We have lost a lot of games this year by a single goal”, said O’Connor, “Anyone watching last week’s game against Monaghan would think us desperately unlucky not to get anything out of the game... Last time against Waterford, we didn’t play till the second half, watching training tonight the lads are in great form and obviously in games like this there’s a bit of spice...we have a couple of ex Waterford players with us and there are a couple of Wexford lads in the Waterford side, so we are really looking forward to it.”

But as things stand there are 19 points between these two sides and, while Waterford look like they are on an upward trajectory, Wexford have yet to show the kind of self belief that translates performance into points.

Waterford United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths
Injured: David Grincell.
Unavailable: Tom Elmes.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Danny Furlong.

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford 1/4; Draw 4/1; Wexford 9/1.
Extratime prediction: Waterford are good enough to win this, 2-0 to the home side.