Waterford FC will look to build on last week’s 3-0 win against Cabinteely with a trip to the capital to face third-placed UCD at the UCD Bowl this Friday.
The Blues made it 10 wins from 16 this season last weekend with goals from Mark O’Sullivan and Garry Comerford. That win extended the Blues lead at the top of the table – coupled with both UCD and Cobh Ramblers losing, to see the Blues with a five-point advantage at the top.
The clubs played out a 1-1 draw in the RSC in April with David McDaid on the scoresheet, while goals from Patrick McClean and Tom Smith ensured a 2-0 Blues win in the opening meeting between the sides in March in the UCD Bowl.
The Blues last away match ended in a 6-1 win away to Athlone Town, while the Blues having scored 26 goals this season so far; conceding just seven.
Midfielder Garry Comerford was on the scoresheet last weekend and knows how important another three points were, but also how tough this weekend’s tie will be.
“It’s another step in the right direction for us and it’s good to get another win under our belts at home. We were very quick out of the blocks and the early goals put us in the driving seat. We were solid at the back again and to keep another clean sheet is a big bonus.
“Things are going really well for us now and it’s great to be top of the table. We came off the field to the news that UCD lost, which is a bonus but we must worry about ourselves. We have a big game against them away from home and we have to be focussed on that game.”
Anthony McAlavey, in his third season with the Blues, is looking forward to Friday’s match.
“Although it’s good to be top of the table, we have to keep it going. All we can do is keep winning games and don’t worry about teams around us. It’s in our hands because we’re top of the table and hold the advantage. We need to keep it going now. Whether we’re one point or ten points clear at the end, we just need to keep going.
“It’s probably a good time to go to take on UCD so we’ll look forward to that game Friday night. They are a good side and when they came here to the RSC it could have went either way so all we can do is go up there, give it our all and see what happens.”
Team News: Another good week of training for the club saw Dean O’Halloran and Ian McLoughlin up their workloads as they bid to return following long-term injury absences. Goalkeeper McLoughlin has an outside chance of making the squad to add competition for an in-form Matthew Connor while O’Halloran is still a couple of weeks away from a full return.
David Mulcahy remains out in defence but the club welcomed back Sander Puri this week following a successful operation in his native Estonia. Puri has in the process of intensive rehabilitation but hopes to be back running fully in the coming weeks.
Media Accreditation: The club would like to inform all media that interviews after games will take place after players have changed and reminds all media that the dressing room area is strictly off limits. Players will be brought to interview area by a member of our media department.
