League Preview: Waterford United -v- Shamrock Rovers B

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Apr 17 2014




WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford United complete their first quarter of fixtures in this season’s First Division with the visit of Shamrock Rovers’ B team to the RSC on Friday (kick off 7.45pm). The Blues have yet to get a league victory from their six games. They have five draws to date which include four clean sheets. Last time out, they drew 0-0 in St. Colman’s Park against bottom side Cobh Ramblers, the only other team in the First Division still seeking their first victory.

 

These are trying times for Blues boss Tommy Griffin and his team, whose only competitive win this season came against Avondale United in the EA Sports Cup. “It’s very frustrating to be honest with you,” said Griffin about the scoreless draw in Cobh last Saturday night. “I think that we had enough chances to win two or three games there. It’s good that we are creating the chances but we have to start taking them and that’s the reality.


“We’re not making life easy for ourselves but I’m hoping that we can just get the win. I’m as frustrated as the fans are and as the media are that we haven’t won a match so far this season. I think that the players are just as disappointed but I can tell you now it’s not because of the lack of effort. I think that if we can take a few of the chances that we’ve been creating, the wins will come.


“We have to keep trying and that’s all we can do to be honest. We now welcome down Shamrock Rovers B under the guidance of Colin Hawkins. Last week they had an excellent result, beating Longford Town, with a goal in injury time giving them the winner. Rovers do have a young, talented side in the First Division, many of them coming through their U19 set up. I would be familiar with a lot of their names having watched them play against our U19s on lots of occasions. On their day they are excellent, and one thing is certain they will look to play football.”

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will be hoping to make it a Good Friday in the RSC as they seek back-to-back wins in the SSE Airtricity League First Division. Colin Hawkins’ Hoops side earned their first win of the season last weekend when they beat Longford Town 2-1 in Tallaght Stadium.

 

The Hoops boss was delighted with the win by his young side over an experienced Longford Town team last Sunday, as he told extratime.ie after that game. “That was the youngest team I’ve put out and it was great for them, they did really well (see more here).” Chris Lyons opened the scoring for Rovers in that game, to go with his goal against Wexford in their previous match. However the former Bohs and UCD striker is a doubt for the trip to Waterford due to a slight calf strain.

 

Rovers had led in two of their games to date but had lost out on the three points on offer both times by letting in late equalisers. Their injury time winner in Tallaght therefore sparked scenes of great celebration by the players. The winning goal came from Daniel Purdy, his fourth strike from six starts in the First Division. That victory allowed Rovers’ B team to jump ahead of Waterford United in the table. United have surprisingly struggled in the opening set of fixtures but are focussed on getting their first win of the league campaign.

 

 “I have told the lads that I expect this to be the toughest game we have faced yet,” was Colin Hawkins’ assessment ahead of the game. “Waterford may be below us in the table at the moment, but I feel they are in a false position as they are a very good team. I am very familiar with the side and I know they will do well this year. But we’ll have a lot of confidence going into the game, after our win last week.”

 

With Trevor Croly’s Premier Division Shamrock Rovers team playing in Dundalk on Good Friday and home to Bray on Easter Monday, Hawkins is expected to only have players available for selection from his First Division squad.

 

Referee: Tom Mazur.

 

 

MATCH STATS

The two clubs played each other in a pre-season friendly back in February at the RSC. Rovers ran out 4-0 winners in that game, however that was a Hoops side dominated by Premier Division players.

 

Waterford have spread the four goals they’ve scored in the league between four different scorers (Willie John Kiely, Conor Whittle, Paul Quilty and an own goal).

 

It is five years since the Blues and the Hoops last played each other in competitive action. That game was in the League Cup with United winning 2-1 in the RSC at the quarter-final stage.

 

 

BETTING
Waterford United 4/7; Draw 12/5; Shamrock Rovers 5/1.

 

PREDICTION
1-1

 

 

Waterford United

Injured: Peter White (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Conor O’Malley (quad), Azeez Yusuff (knee).
Doubtful: Chris Lyons.
Suspended: None.