League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Waterford United

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Jul 03 2015




WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths begin life on top of the First Division by welcoming bottom-placed Waterford United to Ferrycarrig Park (k.o. 8pm), having won away at second-last Cabinteely last week.

 

With second-place Finn Harps hosting Cabinteely this week, Youths boss Shane Keegan is aware his depleted side will need to secure at least a draw in order to maintain their position on top of the league.

 

Keegan said: “It hardly needs saying but the current league table means absolutely nothing. Roddy will have the Blues players pumped to the last and determined to start turning their season around.

 

“We've been handed challenges ourselves and so far this season, we've answered them and we'll give every ounce to come out tonight with a positive result.”

 

The biggest challenge for Wexford will be coping with the absence of a host of first-team players due to the World University Games in Seoul. Dean Broaders, Peter Higgins Stephen Last, Eric Molloy and Andy Mulligan all miss out.

 

Conor Whittle continues to miss out through injury, but Craig Wall and Conor English return from suspension. New signings Chris Kenny and John Peare are both available, the latter having made his debut as a substitute last week.


 

WATERFORD UNITED

A defeat at home to Athlone Town last Thursday was Waterford's fourth in the last five games as the Roddy Collins effect shows no sign of materialising in east Munster.

 

Nothing less than a win will suffice to lift Collins' charges off the bottom of the table, and even that may not be enough should Cabinteely upset the odds at Finn Park, and the manager is under no illusions about the task at hand.

 

Collins said: “It’s disappointing for the lads because there was nothing in it. Up until the goal, we were by far the better team. I thought that in certain areas, we were giving the ball away and that’s why I got myself frustrated, kicked a water bottle and got sent to the stands.

 

“This is about building for the future. I always ask for 100% effort. That is mirrored on the pitch and on the training pitch so you can’t ask for anymore than that. The fundamental thing is that we’re getting the effort and when you work on the other things, it won’t be long before you become a winning team.”

 

The good news for Collins is that his squad has no suspensions pending and a clean bill of health bar Thomas Croke, though winger Jack Doherty was allowed leave the club this week to join Premier Division Longford Town. Dylan Mernagh, Brian Nolan and Matthew Connor are also at the World University Games.

 

Referee: Simon Rogers.

 

MATCH STATS

The sides have met twice so far this season, with both ties going in favour of the away team. Waterford won 2-1 in Wexford's first home game of the season, while Wexford returned the favour by winning 4-1 at the RSC in May.


 

BETTING

Wexford Youths 4/9; Draw 3/1; Waterford United 11/12.

 

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1 – 1 Waterford United


 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Conor Whittle.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended:None.

Unavailable: Dean Broaders, Peter Higgins Stephen Last, Eric Molloy, Andy Mulligan.

 

Waterford United

Injured: Thomas Croke.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Dylan Mernagh, Brian Nolan, Matthew Connor.