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Waterford FC – Match Preview Home v Cobh Ramblers
Friday, April 7th, 2017
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

Waterford FC return to the RSC this Friday evening looking to make it three wins from three at home this season as Cobh Ramblers visits for a top of the table clash.

The sides are the early league frontrunners with 11 points each from six matches this season.

The Blues come into the game on the back of a good performance on Tuesday with a comprehensive 5-0 win away to Wexford in the EA Sports Cup. David McDaid opened the scoring before Gary Delaney made it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. Three goals in the final minutes from Owen Wall (2) and another for McDaid put the gloss on a good performance.

In league action, the Blues had to settle for a point in their last outing; playing out a 0-0 draw away against Longford Town last Saturday.

Visitors Cobh Ramblers had the better of the two sides last season in their First Division matches. Cobh won three of the four ties between the sides, with the Blues picking up just a point.

Blues centre half, Gary Delaney, who scored in the 5-0 win against Wexford, was pleased with the win in Wexford and it looking for his side to build on it this Friday.

“It’s a great win for us. It’s always a tricky tie against Wexford FC and it was again. We only really put the game to bed with the three goals late in the game but it’s great to get the win and to be in the hat for the second round of the cup.

“We have to look forward to the game against Cobh Ramblers on Friday night now. The crowds are just getting bigger at the RSC and hopefully they’ll get behind us again. The atmosphere that they create is amazing and it’s really driving us on.

“The buzz in the club is unbelievable. Everyone is buzzing, the training is so competitive and the competition for places is something else. Everyone is flying and it’s great.”

Young attacking player Owen Wall was brought on from the bench and scored two and assisted one in the final 20 minutes of the game. “I’m happy that the management gave me the chance to come on in the game. They told me just to have no worries and to get at the full back so thankfully it paid off for me.

“It’s stuff that you dream of really. To have two shots off the woodwork and to score two goals in the one game after just coming on with 20 minutes to go is just unbelievable for me. I’m over the moon with it and delighted to have gotten the chance.

“It’s all about the team and we are all rowing in behind each other now so it’s about the next game for us now and that’s the big one in the league. It’s a top of the table clash so early in the season and we’re been getting unbelievable crowds so we’re expecting this to be one of the biggest of the season. It should be good.”

Team News: Robin Dempsey and Jake Evans are both ruled out through injury for Friday’s match. Patrick McClean was withdrawn at half time against Wexford on Tuesday and will be assessed at training on Thursday, while Derek Daly is struggling with a calf strain. David McDaid is suspended following his dismissal last week against Longford Town. In better news, Estonian international Sander Puri has continued his recovery from injury and is hopeful of being in contention for the matchday squad.

(Image Credit: Noel Browne.)

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