Waterford FC – Match Preview Away v UCD
Friday, March 10th, 2017
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Adriano Reale
A 3-0 home win last weekend has Waterford FC in good spirits as preparation continues for the trip to face early league leaders UCD on Friday night in the UCD Bowl.
Striker David McDaid, making his home debut, had the Blues in front after just four minutes against Cabinteely last Friday, before Anthony McAlavey fired into the top corner to double the lead before the break. McDaid then added his second after half time with a clinical finish as the Blues ran out comfortable winners.
In front of a bumper 1,317 crowd at the RSC, the Blues looked a team in control for the most part. This Friday’s tie against UCD should prove another test; Collie O’Neill’s side have picked up two wins from two so far this season.
Opponents UCD opened their campaign with a 1-0 win against Cabinteely, and followed it up with an impressive 4-0 win against Shelbourne in Tolka Park last Friday.
The sides faced off four times in the league last season; the Blues winning the first two, UCD winning the latter two.
Blues defender Kenny Browne, who has started both games since rejoining the club from Cork City, is looking forward to the challenge of facing UCD.
“We look forward to the UCD game now. They’re all big games at this stage. You see Cobh going away and beating Longford. There are a few surprise packages there as well with Athlone but it’s all about three points and it’s just the third game into the season.
“Obviously, we don’t want anyone getting a gap on you straight away in the league but we’re just looking to win the game. That’s it really. We’re not really worried about UCD but more about ourselves. I think in my mindset anyways if we worry about ourselves we don’t have to worry about who we’re playing against.”
Midfielder Kenny McEvoy, who provided the assist for David McDaid’s 4th minute opener last weekend, can’t wait to face a UCD side well-known for looking to play good football.
“I’m enjoying playing but I’m also learning more defensive stuff and trying to get myself better at that side of my game. I’ve been speaking with the coaching staff and I’m just working on that side of my game. I know that there is a lot still to learn but I’m willing to learn.
“I can’t wait to play against a team known for playing football because that will be a really good test for us. We can hopefully set another marker against a team that like to play football. We can play our style and hopefully we can impress the fans that travel to the game with a couple of goals.
“You could feel the atmosphere in the RSC last Friday. You could feel everybody around you and the support for the club. I think it’s a good feeling for the players knowing that there is a lot of eyes on you. The more the merrier because there is a real buzz around the stadium and it’s enjoyable for everybody.”
McEvoy and David McDaid both face late fitness tests after picking up knocks in last week’s 3-0 win over Cabinteely. Midfielder Tom Smith has been back with parent club Swindon Town to have his knee injury sustained against Cabinteely assessed. He has been ruled out as a result.
