SSE Airtricity First Division
Waterford FC -v- Bray Wanderers
Friday, 25th February 2022
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm
Referee: Mark Moynihan
Waterford FC play their first home game of the 2022 season on Friday night as the Blues welcome Bray Wanderers to the RSC.
First-half goals from Cian Kavanagh, Phoenix Patterson, and Junior Quitirna helped the Blues start the 2022 season with an impressive 5-2 win against Athlone Town on Friday night.
A second goal from Junior before the hour mark and a late Louis Britton goal rounded out the scoring for the Blues to see Ian Morris take his first competitive win as Blues boss.
Bray come into Friday’s game after defeat last weekend in the Carlisle Grounds against Cork City. A flurry of second-half goals saw Bray stoop to defeat.
The sides last met back in 2019 in the League Cup quarter-finals when a Scott Twine free kick after 15 minutes was enough to separate the sides and see the Blues progress to the next round. The sides last meeting in league action was back in 2018 when goals on either side of the interval gave the Blues all three points in a 2-0 win over the Seagulls.
Manager View: Speaking ahead of Friday’s match against Bray Wanderers, manager Ian Morris said:
“Last week proved a good start in Athlone. I was delighted with the way in which we got forward and we scored some really good goals. Of course, I was disappointed with the goals we conceded but we have worked on some of that this week in training and we’re looking forward to Friday night against Bray. They lost last week so we know they’ll be up for this game.
“We’re working day to day to build ourselves and give us the best possible chance of having a good season. Every time we pull on the shirt we will bring pride, passion and excitement to our performances.
“The support last week in Athlone was phenomenal, and to get 600/700 fans at preseason games has been brilliant. It’s a massive boost to the players, they thrive off that support and we know we must perform on the pitch to give the fans something to shout about. We need the fans to drive us on every week and to create an electric atmosphere.”
Team News: Kilian Cantwell misses out due to a facial injury sustained in pre-season. Niall O’Keeffe returns after suspension.
