Waterford United -v- Salthill Devon

• Brendan White
• Mon, Jun 07 2010


Waterford United return to league action this Tuesday evening, with their minds firmly set on promotion following FAI and EA Sports Cup defeats last week, when Salthill Devon visit the RSC. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

A 2-1 defeat to Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup last Tuesday was followed by a 1-0 defeat in the FAI Cup on Friday to bogey team Longford Town.

The only goal of the game came in the opening 15 minutes after Waterford keeper Chris Konopka fouled Mark Salmon in the box. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and showed Konopka a red card. Former Waterford midfielder John Lester scored the penalty past sub keeper Kevin Burns. Despite a battling performance, and numerous chances, the Blues bowed out of the cup.

With Waterford now out of both cup competitions, Stephen Henderson’s side’s only aim for the rest of the season will be promotion to the Premier Division. Having seen red on Friday, Chris Konopka is suspended for Waterford. Alan Carey remains out with ankle ligament problem while George O’Callaghan is doubtful with a reported hamstring problem. Gary Dunphy returns from suspension.

Salthill Devon come into the game on the back of a morale boosting 3-1 FAI Cup win against Tullamore Town on Saturday.

The Galway side have had a very difficult start to life in the League of Ireland. One victory this season, albeit coming after Wexford were penalised for fielding an ineligible player, is all that Long’s side have had to shout about. They lie four points adrift of Galway rivals Mervue United.

Manager Emlyn Long was happy with the win and feels it keeps his side in good spirits for the trip to the RSC on Tuesday, with the vital equalising goal coming two minutes into first half stoppage time.

“When Tullamore got the goal we definitely had ten or fifteen minutes where we lost confidence”, Long told Extratime. “That’s from losing as many games as we have. But when we got the equaliser I could see a lot of the traits that have maybe appeared in us early on in the season. When they conceded the goal it maybe just deflated them for a few minutes and we knew then we had an opportunity to regroup at half time and to push on. I think if Tullamore went in 1-0 at half time it would have been a very, very difficult second half.”

Waterford have won just one of the last six league games, and have lost their last three matches. Salthill will feel that if ever they had a chance to beat Waterford, this may be their best opportunity.

Extratime Prediction: Waterford to have too much for Salthill. 2-1 to Waterford.