Waterford United get back to league action when they play host to Longford Town at the RSC on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm).
 
After the sizeable distraction of the EA Sports Cup Final at the RSC on Saturday, it’s down to brass tacks once again as United seek to maintain their promotion challenge. The Cup decider was a disappointing affair for the Blues, as they let nerves get the better of them in the early stages, and left themselves with a huge mountain to climb in the second half. Somewhat overrun by Bohemians early on, and falling behind to a pretty unassailable 3-0 lead, they nonetheless fought back bravely after the break, finally pulling a deserved goal back, and finishing the game on top. The experience will stand to the young team, and sooner rather than later, with some big games left to come before this season is out.
 
United now must get themselves ready for the challenge of former boss Gareth Cronin’s Longford Town. Last year, under Cronin, the Blues took ten points from the four games against the Midlanders, and this year they’ve continued to have the upper hand, winning both of their meetings so far. Many of the team will be playing against their former gaffer, but it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this will have on the way the Town approach the game. For Stephen Henderson’s part, his side will approach the game like any other, putting in the best performance they can to ensure the required three points.
 
He will have to plan without the services of centre back Kenny Browne, and top-scoring striker Graham Cummins, two fairly hefty blows to his plans. Both were sent off against Athlone last weekend, and are serving their automatic suspensions for this game. Other than the two long-term absentees there are no injuries to report.
 

Suspensions:
Kenny Browne – 1 match (automatic as per FIFA directive)
Graham Cummins – 1 match (automatic as per FIFA directive)
 

Injury Update:
Paul McCarthy (groin operation – out for remainder of season)
David Grincell (broken wrist – 5 weeks to end of season)
 

Top Scorers (League):
17 -   Graham Cummins
11 -   Willie John Kiely
2 -     Gary Dunphy
         Kenny Browne
         David Grincell
         Alan Carey
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Joe Mulcahy
         Kevin Waters
         Kevin Murray
         Vinny Sullivan
         Own goal
 

Top Scorers (All Competitive):
23 -   Graham Cummins (17 League, 3 FAI Ford Cup, 3 EA Sports Cup)
17 -   Willie John Kiely (11 League, 4 FAI Ford Cup, 2 EA Sports Cup)
6 -     David Grincell (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 3 MSC)
4 -     Kenny Browne (2 League, 2 EA Sports Cup)
3 -     Gary Dunphy (2 League, 1 MSC)
         Joe Mulcahy (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 MSC)
         Kevin Waters (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 EA Sports Cup)
         Alan Carey (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup)
2 -     John Kearney (1 MSC, 1 EA Sports Cup)
1 -     Paul McCarthy (1 League)
         Kevin Murray (1 League)
         Vinny Sullivan (1 League)
         Own goal (1 League)
 

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WLDDW
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WLDDD WWL
 

Last Match:    Bohemians 3 (Brennan 7, 30 (pen), Fenn 42) – Waterford United 1 (Browne 80)
 

Previous Meetings:
05 Jul 09       L      Longford Town   v   Waterford United        1 – 3
04 Apr 09      L      Waterford United   v   Longford Town        1 – 0
27 Sep 08     L      Longford Town   v   Waterford United         0 – 3
25 Jul 08       L      Waterford United  v  Longford Town          4 – 0
17 May 08     L      Longford Town    v    Waterford United      0 – 2
14 Mar 08      L     Waterford United    v    Longford Town       1 – 1
 

Results This Season:
26 Sep 09          a            Bohemians (EASC)                 1-3       L
19 Sep 09          a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)            2-1       W
15 Sep 09          a            St Patrick’s Athletic(FAIFC)     2-0       W
12 Sep 09          h            St Patrick’s Athletic (FAIFC)    1-1       D
04 Sep 09          a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)         0-0       D
29 Aug 09          h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)          0-0       D
22 Aug 09          h            UCD (LOIFD)                        0-1       L
18 Aug 09          h            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           2-0      W
14 Aug 09          a            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           0-0       D
08 Aug 09          a            Kkildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 Aug 09          a            UCD (EASC)                        3-1       W
01 Aug 09          a            Mervue United (LOIFD)          2-0       W
28 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               4-0       W
25 Jul 09            h            Limerick FC (LOIFD)              2-1       W
19 Jul 09            a            Monaghan United (LOIFD)      0-0       D
17 Jul 09            h            Ipswich Town (Friendly)        0-3       L
11 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               p-p       postponed
05 Jul 09            a            Longford Town (LOIFD)         3-1       W
19 Jun 09           h            Athlone Town (LOIFD)           2-1       W
13 Jun 09           h            Carrigaline United (FAIFC)      6-0       W  
05 Jun 09           a            Shelbourne (LOIFD)               0-1       L
02 Jun 09           n            Rockmount (MSC)                 2-1      W
30 May 09          h            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)        1-2       L
22 May 09          a            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)         4-1       W
19 May 09          h            Shamrock Rovers (EASC)       2-1       W
15 May 09          a            UCD (LOIFD)                       0-0       D
09 May 09          h            Kildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 May 09          a            FC Carlow (EASC)                3-1       W
02 May 09          h            Mervue United (LOIFD)         2-0       W
24 Apr 09           a            Limerick FC (LOIFD)             2-0       W
22 Apr 09           a            Clonmel Town (MSC)            2-1       W
18 Apr 09           h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)     6-0       W
11 Apr 09           a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)              3-1       W
04 Apr 09           h            Longford Town (LOIFD)        1-0        W
29 Mar 09           a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)          2-1       W
20 Mar 09           h            Shelbourne (LOIFD)             0-1        L
13 Mar 09           a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)       1-0       W
07 Mar 09           h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)        1-1        D
28 Feb 09           h            Douglas Hall (MSC)              2-0       W
20 Feb 09           a            Mayfield United (Fr)             4-1       W
13 Feb 09           h            Junior League XI (Fr)           3-0       W
07 Feb 09           a            Cork City (Fr)                     1-0       W
 

Next 6 Matches:
03 Oct 09           a           Finn Harps (LOIFD)
06 Oct 09           h           Shelbourne (LOIFD)
09 Oct 09           h           Monaghan United (LOIFD)
16 Oct 09           a           Limerick FC (LOIFD)
20 Oct 09           h           Mervue United (LOIFD)
23 Oct 09           a           Sligo Rovers (FAIFC)

 
Betting:
Waterford: 2/5
Longford: 13/2
Draw: 11/4