Waterford United -v- Athlone Town

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Jul 26 2013




Waterford United

Third placed Waterford United welcome second placed Athlone Town to the RSC on Friday as the First Division promotion races continues.

 

Waterford United are undefeated in their last two league games and will be out searching for a win over Roddy Collins and his second placed Town side. The last two time these clubs faced off against each other it was the Blues who came out on top.

 

Waterford do however head into this clash without several key players. Michael Coady continues to be sidelined with a knee injury Dylan Mernagh and Peter White are also sidelined for this game. To make matters worse for Waterford Vinny Sullivan will be forced to watch his teammates from the stands as he is suspended having picked up fourth yellow card.. Despite this, there is one positive as Paddy Barrett has recovered from his concussion and will be available for the clash.

 

Jack Doherty is the other man who will not be involved having left the club to go and join English Football League side Ipswich Town during the week.

 

Coach David Breen knows that in order for Waterford to keep the dream of promotion alive every game until the end of the season is a must win.

 

"It's a huge, huge game for us to be honest. Most games between now and the end of the season for us are six pointers. We’ll be prepared for them and we’ll be ready for them. We’ve beaten them twice already this season but won’t be taking anything for granted."

 

“They are a very good side with a very good manager. They are a young and fit side as well so they’ll be at it but it’s up to us to look after the lads during the week with regards training and recovery. It’s important that their heads are mentally right. We’ll give the lads a lot of credit for tonight but you’re right, Athlone will be a different proposition next week."

 

Athlone Town

Athlone Town head into Friday night's meeting with Waterford as the form team in the whole Airtricity League. Roddy Collins men are currently six games unbeaten while they have also managed to go five games without conceding a goal. That adds up to 499 minutes without conceding which equals the clubs record that was set back in 1985.

 

Athlone head into this game without the services of Sam Byrne who is suspended for an additional one game as part of the ban handed down as a result of the red card picked up against Cobh Ramblers. Also suspended for this tie is Robbie Clarke after picking up four yellow cards. 

 

There is just one injury to report from the Athlone camp as Roddy Collins Junior may be forced to sit the game out having picked up an ankle injury in last weekend's win over Salthill Devon.

 

There is some good news for town fans as Eoin McCormack who was the star of the clubs U19 side last season has signed as a first team player.

 

Speaking about the game manager Roddy Collins said “We need to create more chances in games but we are under no pressure going to Waterford, it’s all on them and a good result would be massive for us.”

 

Referee: Adriano Reale

 

Match Facts

Waterford have not lost to Athlone since returning to the First Division in 2008 going a total of 19 times without losing.

 

Ben Ryan leads the scoring charts for Waterford with five league goals while Noel Magee leads Town with four goals.

 

Athlone Town will break the club's all time record for most consecutive clean sheets in a row if they manage to keep Waterford out on Friday.

 

Betting

Waterford United 6/5 Draw 9/4 Athlone Town 2/1

 

Prediction

Waterford 0-1 Athlone Town

 

Waterford United

Injured: Michael Coady (Knee), Peter White (ankle), Dylan Mernagh (ankle)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Vinny Sullivan

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None

Doubtful: Roddy Collins

Suspended: Sean Byrne, Robbie Clarke