SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Waterford FC -v- Derry City
Friday, May 25, 2018
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Rob Rogers
Waterford FC welcome Derry City to the RSC this Friday evening as third face fourth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The sides have played out two tightly-contested ties this season so far. The Blues won the opening game of the season with goals from Gavan Holohan and Dean O’Halloran giving Alan Reynolds’ side a 2-1 win.
A solitary Jack Doyle goal gave Kenny Shiels’ side all three points in a 1-0 win in The Brandywell in April.
The Blues will hope to bounce back from Monday’s defeat against Dundalk, with the second-half performance bringing plenty of positives. A goal at the end of both halves saw Dundalk claim the points.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s game, Waterford FC manager Alan Reynolds was happy with the Blues’ second-half response against Dundalk and knows his team will come up against a good Derry City side this Friday.
“First half Dundalk were very good and they scored a good goal, but second half we were really good and it’s important that we bring that second-half performance into Friday.
“We played some great football and that’s what we’ve done well this season and we were unlucky not to equalise – Sander Puri hit the post and I thought we could have had a penalty for the challenge on Rory Feely and then we’re hit on the break. We were still beaten and we can’t forget that, but I couldn’t ask for anymore from the lads after the second-half showing.
“We were unlucky not to take anything from the game in the Brandywell the last time we played them. Kenny [Shiels] always has his sides well prepared and we’ll expect nothing less. They had a good win at home on Monday so they’ll be full of confidence.”
TEAM NEWS: Waterford FC continue to be without the injured John Kavanagh (knee) and Garry Comerford (foot). Paul Keegan is a doubt having been withdrawn against Dundalk on Monday, while Gavan Holohan is struggling with a knee injury and remains a doubt.
