League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Waterford United

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Aug 14 2015




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town host Waterford United on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) as they aim to put a disappointing loss to Cabinteely on Friday behind them.

 

Having lost to the second-bottom side for the second-successive fixture, last-placed Waterford United apppear to be the ideal side to welcome, as they themselves come off the back of a 5-1 thumping to UCD.

 

Athlone boss Alan Mathews will be without Derek Doyle after the former Shelbourne player was sent off against Cabinteely, while Robbie Gaul will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken leg, dislocated ankle and ligament damage in the same game.

 

Marco Chindea has returned to light training after recovering from a broken foot, but is unlikely to feature, while Brian Shortall and Stephen Dunne remain doubts. Daniel Purdy returns following a two-game suspension.

 

 

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United hope to end a three-game losing streak with a visit to wounded Athlone on Friday.

 

Roddy Collins' side endured a torrid evening in Belfield last week as UCD struck five times past Robert Birdsall, the second-choice goalkeeper who was injured for the majority of the game after picking up an early knock.

 

First-choice keeper Matthew Connor returns to contention following an injury, while Cory Galvin and Anthony McAlevey return to leave United with a clean suspensions list for the first time in a number of weeks.

 

New signing Darren Murphy will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, while Thomas Croke continues to recover from ankle surgery.

 

Referee: Adriano Reale.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town and Waterford United have met three times this season, with the Midlanders holding a firm upper hand over the Munster side.

 

The sides shared a 1-1 draw in the opening day fixture at the RSC, but Athlone won the two subsequent fixtures by a goal to nil, with goals from Gavin Boyne and Philly Gorman settling the respective ties.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone Town 8/13; Draw 14/5; Waterford United 7/2.

 

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1 – 3 Waterford United.

 

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Robbie Gaul (leg, ankle).

Doubtful: Marco Chindea, Stephen Dunne, Brian Shortall.

Suspended: Derek Doyle.

 

Waterford United

Injured: Thomas Croke (ankle), Darren Murphy (foot).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.