Preview By Craig O'Sullivan
This Friday July 26th Athlone Town take on Waterford United at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre. This will be the third meeting between the two sides, with Waterford winning both outings 1-0. Athlone will go into this game looking to claim a clean sheet for the sixth game running. Athlone will also look to keep there unbeaten as they have not lost a league game since the last outing between the sides where Waterford won 1-0 through a Paul Qulity goal. Athlone have been in good form of late closing the gap on league leaders to just a single point. It is also been said this week that Athlone manger Roddy Collins has been given permission to speak to premier division side Bohemians and Athlone are hopefully that they can retain Collins services for the remainder of the season at least. If Collins does leave for Bohemians it may put a dent in Athlone's promotion hopes and Collins may also take club top scorer Phillip Gorman to Bohemians after Gormans impressive goal scoring record this season. Athlone have also added to players to their squad that may be available for the game. Eoin McCormack takes the step up from their Under 19's and Luke McCarty signs from Shelbourne Under 19's .Waterford also go into this game in form having only lost one game since the last meeting of the sides to league leaders Longford Town 2-1 where United had 10 men for the majority of the game. Waterford will also look to claim there third clean sheet in arrow. Waterford go into this game with financial problems but with the transfer of attacking player Jack Doherty to championship side Ipswitch in England. This may help to secure the future of the club. Waterford are without a few players for this game but welcome back Paddy Barret who is likely to go straight back into the team a long side Kevin O'Connor in the centre of midfield. Paul Qulity is likely to come back into the team and partner Conor Meade up front with Vicent Sullivan missing out through suspension.
Team news :
Waterford :
Injures : Michael Coady (knee), Peter White (ankle), Dylan Mernagh (ankle).
Suspensions : Vicent Sullivan.
Transfers : Jack Dothery sign for Ipswitch.
Athlone :
Injures : none reported.
Suspensions : Sean Byrne, Robert Clarke.
Transfer : Eoin McCormack, Luke McCarty both join Athlone.
Stats :
Since returning to the First Division in 2008, Waterford United have not lost to Athlone Town in 19 games. Waterford have won eleven and there were eight draws. The sides have met 10 times at the RSC in those years. The most recent draw between the sides was only last August.
Athlone have not beaten Waterford in over 10 years.
The last eight meetings between the sides :
Athlone Town 0 – 1 Waterford United
Waterford United 1 – 0 Athlone Town Athlone Town 2 – 3 Waterford United
Waterford United 0 – 0 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 1 – 4 Waterford United
Waterford United 1 – 1 Athlone Town
Waterford United 5 – 1 Athlone Town
Athlone Town 0 – 3 Waterford United
In Waterford's last five league games they won three, drew one and lost once. They have scored eight and conceded two. (66.67% of the points available).
In Athlone's last five league games they have won four and drew once. They have scored eight and conceded none. (86.67% of points available).
There is an average of 2.1 goals between the sides in the last 19 meetings.
Clubs Top Three Goal Scorers :
Waterford : (12) Conor Meade (All scored with Cobh Rambers), (5) Ben Ryan, (4) Vicent Sullivan.
Athlone : (11) Phillip Gorman, (6) Ian Sweeney, (3) Garbhan Coughlan.
Key Treats :
Waterford : Conor Meade, Phillip Dohan (Striker and Winger)
Athlone : Phillip Gorman, Garbhan Coughlan (Both Forwards)
Match Officials :
Referee : A.Reale
Assistant Referees : D.Keegan, M.Farrell.
Fourth Official : S.Dunphy |
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