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League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Waterford United
- Extratime Team
- Fri, Apr 24 2015
Athlone Town
Third placed Athlone Town look to end a three-game winless spell when they host bottom-placed Waterford United this Friday at the Athlone Town Stadium.
Eddie Wallace’s side drew with the Blues in March in the opening game of the season, before beating Cobh Ramblers, UCD and Shelbourne. But since beating Shelbourne on March 27th, wins have been hard to come by with.
Last weekend, Athlone salvaged a late, late point with 94th minute Philip Gorman penalty earning a 2-2 draw to end a run of consecutive defeats against Wexford Youths and Finn Harps.
Athlone Town has a number of injury concerns ahead of Friday’s game. Aidan Friel, Eric Foley, Philip Hand and Philip Gorman all miss out. Aidan Collins and Robbie Gaul will have late fitness tests. A number of other players are carrying knocks and will undergo fitness tests prior to game.
Waterford United
Visitor’s Waterford United come into the game after a horrid start to the season. Despite an opening weekend point against Athlone and beating Wexford Youths in Gameweek 2, Tommy Griffins’s side have failed to win since, picking up just two points.
Despite some decent performances, the Blues have failed to turn them into points and sit bottom of the First Division table with just six points from their seven matches.
Last weekend, the Blues went down to a 3-0 defeat against UCD on the back of consecutive draws against Shelbourne and Cobh Ramblers, both matches in which the Blues had led.
Ethan Boyle is on Republic of Ireland Under-18 International Schools and misses the game. Thomas Croke and Anthony O’Donnell miss the game through injury but Brian Nolan returns having missed last week’s defeat.
Referee: Adriano Reale
MATCH STATS
Athlone Town are the top scorers in the First Division this season. They have scored 12 goals in their seven games so far.
Waterford United striker Willie John Kiely is the Blues top scorer this season with two goals - 50% of the total number of league goals he scored last season.
Philip Gorman has scored four goals this season for Athlone Town, but they’ve come in just two games. The striker has started a habit of grabbing two goals in games with braces against Cabinteely and UCD.
BETTING
Athlone Town 4/7; Draw 5/2; Waterford United 9/2
PREDICTION
Athlone Town 2 - 1 Waterford United
Athlone Town
Injured: Aidan Friel, Eric Foley, Philip Hand, Philip Gorman.
Doubtful: Aidan Collins, Robbie Gaul.
Suspended: None.
Waterford United
Injured: Thomas Croke, Anthony O’Donnell
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Ethan Boyle (U18 International Schools duty)
