After victory on the road against Sligo Rovers on Friday night, Waterford FC return to league action on Monday evening when they entertain Keith Long’s Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at the RSC with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The Blues currently sit joint top of the table with Cork City after four games. The Blues will be bidding to keep up their 100% home record as they take on the Gypsies for the first time since the EA Sports Cup Final in 2009 where current Waterford captain Paul Keegan helped the Dalymount Park outfit to a 3-1 success at the RSC.
Speaking ahead of the game, Waterford FC manager Alan Reynolds said:
“It was a great win on Friday night but it has come at a price. We are down to the bare bones with injuries and illness so it’s going to be a very difficult game against Bohs.
“Our fans have been fantastic home and away this season but we really do need them more than ever for this game. The atmosphere that they create at the RSC is fantastic and we’ll need more of the same. It’s going to be tough because Bohs are well organised side so we’ll have to be at our very best.
“I was delighted with the character that the lads showed on Friday in Sligo because we were under pressure in the second half but we kept on battling. Courtney Duffus is a player that I really like and I was thrilled that he showed the quality that we know he has with the winning goal. It was a super strike from him and hopefully this will help his confidence.
“To have nine points at this stage is great but I told the players our performances will have to be better than that against Sligo moving on. I am sure we will play like that in the future and get beaten. It looks like we will be without Izzy Akinade, Bastien Héry and Gavan Holohan for the game due to injury so we’ll need the other lads to step up to the plate. Hopefully they can.”
Reflecting on the game against Sligo Rovers, Waterford FC goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux said:
“That was a very good win for us in Sligo because its a hard place to come to and get a result but we dug in when we needed to and I felt we deserved to win the game.
“My main goal is to keep the ball out of my net and I have to say I have some really great defenders playing in front of me and they minimise my work load.
“It’s the first time in ten years that the club has been in the Premier Division and its testimony to the coaching staff and the players who are fantastic. People in England say coming to Ireland is a step down, but I don’t look at it that way. I have enjoyed every second of my time here and hopefully that will continue with a win against Bohs.”
TEAM NEWS: Dean O’Halloran is again ruled out through the injury sustained against St. Patrick’s Athletic two weeks ago and is joined by fellow striker Izzy Akinade who missed Friday night’s clash with Sligo Rovers. Bastien Héry was forced off on Friday following a collision in midfield. The Frenchman has not recovered in time to play a part in this one but Faysel Kasmi is back in contention following recovery from an ankle injury. Rory Feely, Garry Comerford, Dean Walsh and Gavan Holohan have all suffered from illness over the weekend and have been ruled out for Monday’s clash as a result.
