MATCH PREVIEW: Waterford FC -v- Derry City (02/11/2021)
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Waterford FC -v- Derry City
Tuesday, 2nd November 2021
Kick-Off: 6.15pm
Referee: Graham Kelly
Waterford FC return to the RSC on Tuesday evening as the Blues welcome Derry City in another crunch game for Marc Bircham’s side.
The Blues come into Tuesday’s game, originally scheduled for Monday but for a major electrical issue at the RSC, after a 1-0 defeat against Dundalk on Friday night in Oriel Park. A Daniel Kelly goal on the stroke of half-time saw the Louth club take all three points.
Tuesday will be the Blues’ 4th game in 12 days as the team come to the conclusion of the season with much still to play for.
Tuesday’s visitors Derry come into the game after a 1-1 draw with Bohemians in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night. Bohemians had taken the lead but a goal from Ronan Boyce saw the two sides share the spoils.
The sides last met back in July when the Candystripes took the points in a 2-0 win. The last meeting in the RSC came back in May when a Ronan Boyce goal after four minutes saw the visitors win.
Of our last 5 games, the Blues have scored 7 goals – with Derry scoring 6 in the same range of games.
The Blues currently sit in 8 place in the table, one point clear of the play-off position. Derry currently occupy 4th place in the table; seven points ahead of the Blues.
Manager’s View: Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s match against Derry City, manager Marc Bircham said:
“We were disappointed with the Dundalk result but I put that down to tiredness after a busy week with three games and injuries and suspensions. So I’ve given the players that one but we have to be ready for Tuesday.
“It’s all been up the air over the last few days after the big electrical problem in the RSC, so it’s been a strange time not knowing but Tuesday it is so we have to prepare right for it.
“We trained over the weekend to be ready and we know how well we can play. I didn’t think everyone played well on Friday so we’re hoping to get a big home crowd behind us and push us to get more points on the board on Tuesday and Friday [v Shamrock Rovers]. It’ll probably be the highest points total for a team to be in the relegation playoff so we have to keep pushing.”
Team News: Eddie Nolan, Matthew Connor and Greg Halford are all doubtful with knocks while Prince Mutswunguma misses out. Brian Murphy is suspended.
