SSE Airtricity First Division
Waterford FC -v- Kerry FC
Friday, 4th August 2023
Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Gavin Colfer
A busy weekend for Waterford FC begins with a return to the RSC this Friday night to face Kerry FC.
Following Friday’s match, the Blues then head to Ferrycarrig Park on Monday evening for a 6pm kick-off v Wexford FC.
The Blues come into the weekend after a 1-1 draw on the road last weekend in Athlone. Jamar Campion-Hinds had the home side in front at the break before Cameron Cresswell scored his second goal for the club to level in stoppage time.
Keith Long’s side have met Kerry FC twice this season with the Blues taking six points from six. Ronan Coughlan scored in a 1-0 win in the RSC, before he scored four in Mounthawk Park, with additional goals from Barry Baggley and Roland Idowu, to secure a 6-0 win in June on the road.
The league’s newest club fell to a late defeat at home to Finn Harps last weekend with the visitors scoring in stoppage time.
Kerry sit bottom of the league table but have shown big improvement in their debut season – notably falling to defeat by just a single goal in their previous six since defeat against the Blues.
From The Dugout: Speaking ahead of Friday’s match, head coach Keith Long said:
“First half we were poor [v Athlone], second half we came out a bit brighter and started to create a few chances. We kept going and got the goal in the end with a great finish from Cameron [Cresswell]. We were disappointed overall over the 90 minutes with the display.
“We needed to get minutes into players after changes in the squad so it’ll take a little bit of time for them all to get up to speed in terms of match fitness but we’ve two games to look ahead to now. It’s a big week to try to put right some of the things we need to do better from last week. We’ve attacked the week, stayed positive and looked to build on where we’re at. We’re fighting hard to get better, because we need to be better going forward.”
Team News: Giles Phillips returns from a one-match suspension. Dean McMenamy, Shane Griffin and Darragh Power all continue to make progress in their returns from injury, but all three miss out again this weekend.
