MATCH PREVIEW: Waterford FC -v- Wexford FC (11/03/2022)
SSE Airtricity First Division
Waterford FC -v- Wexford FC
Friday, 11th March 2022
Kick-Off: 7:45 pm
Referee: Declan Toland
Waterford FC welcome our South-East neighbours Wexford FC to the RSC on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity First Division.
The sides sit first and second in the early league standings and meet for the first South East derby of the season.
Despite first-half goals from Junior Quitirna and Eddie Nolan last weekend, the 10-man Blues settled for a good point in a 2-2 draw in Eamonn Deacy Park against Galway United.
That point means the Blues remain unbeaten in the opening matches of the season with seven points from a possible nine on offer.
Visitors Wexford come into the game on the back of a 2-1 victory at home to Athlone Town last weekend. Goals on either side of the interval were enough to secure the Ferrycarrig club all three points against Athlone who played the second half with 10 men.
The sides last met competitively back in 2017 when the Blues ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on the way to promotion, while the side’s last meeting in the RSC saw the Blues win 2-1 despite the visitors taking a first-half lead.
Friday night’s encounter should produce goals with the Blues scoring nine in their last 5 games, while Wexford have found the net on 11 occasions in the same amount of games. In the sides last 5 meetings, the Blues are unbeaten.
Manager View: Speaking ahead of Friday’s match against Wexford FC, manager Ian Morris said:
“Last week we were disappointed not to win in Galway but happy to take a point in the circumstances. First half we were really good; we moved the ball well and scored two really good goals. Second half we didn’t get going and in the end had to settle for a point.
“Wexford have started the season well and we know they’ll prove a tough challenge. I know Ian Ryan well and he’s done a good job there, as people saw last season. They’ll be pushing teams and we need to be at our best again if we want to pick up points.
“We’ve now picked up seven points from nine on offer so far so we’re happy with that start to the season. We’ve been on the road twice so we’ve got a decent return from the games”.
Team News: Kilian Cantwell continues to miss out. Richard Taylor misses the game through suspension after his red card in Galway.