SSE Airtricity Premier Division – Waterford FC v Sligo Rovers
Friday, April 27
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Robert Harvey
After the thrill of reaching the EA SPORTS Cup quarterfinal with victory over Cork City, Waterford FC return to league action on Friday night when they take on Sligo Rovers in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the RSC with a 7.45pm kick-off.
The Blues got the better of Gerard Lyttle’s side in their earlier meeting this season at the Showgrounds thanks to a late Courtney Duffus winner after the hosts had cancelled out a first half goal from Gavan Holohan. With the Blues unbeaten in all competitions at home this season, they’ll put this record on the line against a Rovers side that they’ll also meet in the last eight of the cup.
Speaking ahead of the game, Waterford FC manager Alan Reynolds said, “It was great to win on Monday night against Cork City but we need to park that result now and look forward to the game against Sligo Rovers.
“I didn’t expect the game to go to 120 minutes on Monday never mind penalties so it’s always good when you come out on the right side of the result at the end of it. I have to credit the players because they worked hard and it also gave me the chance to give the players who have been knocking on my door the opportunity to play.
“We got lucky in Sligo earlier in the season with the last minute Courtney Duffus winner and I’ve seen them play a couple of games. They are decent and want to play the right way but we have to focus on ourselves. I think that if we are at our best at home we’ll take some stopping.
“We have an unbeaten record at home and we’ll be hoping to build on that against Sligo. We’re happy to take one game at a time and see where it takes us.”
Also commenting ahead of the game, Waterford FC defender Dylan Barnett said, “It was a great win for us and we’re delighted to be in the next round of the cup. In every competition that we play in we want to win and do well in so it’s great that we have another game to look forward too.
“It’s crazy to think that we’ve still unbeaten at home to date because nobody expected us to produce these types of performances. I think that the RSC is becoming a bit of a fortress now and I don’t think that any team fancies coming here that will include Sligo on Friday night.
“They are a good side and they’ll try to make life difficult for us. We should have everyone available for the game and there will be a competition for places for this game.”
Tickets can be purchased at https://waterfordfc.ie/tickets/ or from our merchandise store tomorrow from 12pm – 4:30pm
TEAM NEWS: Waterford FC manager Alan Reynolds will welcome back Stanley Aborah from suspension for the visit of Sligo Rovers to the RSC. The Blues boss will have to sweat on the fitness of John Kavanagh, who limped off injured in the league game against Bray Wanderers and is the only doubt for this game.