After defeat to UCD last weekend, Waterford United will be looking to quickly bounce back when they play host to Sporting Fingal at the RSC this Saturday (KO 7.00pm).

The Blues saw an eight game unbeaten run come to an end against the Students, in a game where they never really got going in midfield and attack, despite a numerical advantage for a large part of the match. It is true that United have had another intense spell of matches of late, with 8 games played in the month since July 25th, but manager Stephen Henderson refuses to use this as any kind of excuse, instead simply putting the defeat down to a bad day at the office for his men. The bullish boss is confident the team can put the defeat behind them and get back to winning ways against the Dublin club.

The opening match of the season saw the sides play out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the RSC, a late Gary Dunphy piledriver cancelled out almost immediately by Philly Byrne’s header, but the Blues will take confidence from the return fixture at Morton Stadium back in May, when they came from an early goal down to overrun their hosts and rattle the net four times. After the UCD defeat, though, Waterford find themselves below Fingal in fourth place on goal difference, which only adds to the need for a good result on Saturday. Sporting are on a great run at present, having won their last five games in a row, so the Blues will have to be on top of their game to pick up the points. If they do hit the form they are capable of, as Henderson knows, they can put themselves right back in contention for the title.

The squad has been buoyed this week by the return of striker Vinny Sullivan to the fold after a half-year absence, boosting the options up front, and he is expected to go straight into the squad for the match. David Grincell and Paul McCarthy remain on the long-term injury list of course, and a real doubt exists over the availability of inspirational goalkeeper Michael Devine, who sustained a suspected broken toe against the Students. Despite this, Devine is hopeful of being available to play, and will be assessed again closer to kick-off time. Kevin Waters serves a one match susppension for picking up his fourth yellow card.

Henderson Quotes:
On the UCD match:
“That was a bad day at the office. There is no point in saying anything else.”
“We did not win a ball up front and that is unusual for us.”
“We did not get a grip on the midfield either, even when they had a player sent off.”
“We prepared well for this game, and don’t tell me the players were tired. We have played a lot of games lately but we were ready for this game.”
“Fair play to UCD because they knocked the ball around superbly and deserved their win.”

On the season ahead:
“I have told the players that they can do one of two things. They can keep their heads down and just plod along until November. On the other hand they can keep their heads up and go out and play the way I know they can and win things, including the league.”
“We have 33 points to play for, and we must not leave it all behind us considering we have come so far.”
“We must keep our heads up.”

Suspensions:

Kevin Waters – 1 match (4 penalty points)

Injury Update:

Paul McCarthy (groin operation – out for remainder of season)
David Grincell (broken wrist – 8 weeks to end of season)
Michael Devine (doubtful – suspected broken toe)

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

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

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WL
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WL

Last Match:    Waterford United 0  -  UCD 1 (D McMillan 70)

Previous Meetings:
22 May 09    L       Sporting Fingal   v   Waterford United        1 – 4
 07 Mar 09    L      Waterford United   v   Sporting Fingal         1 – 1
10 Oct 08     L      Sporting Fingal   v   Waterford United         3 – 1
01 Aug 08     L      Waterford United   v   Sporting Fingal         2 – 1
26 May 08    L      Sporting Fingal   v   Waterford United         3 – 1
28 Mar 08     L      Waterford United   v   Sporting Fingal         2 – 0

Results This Season:
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 5 Matches:
04 Sep 09           a           Wexford Youths (LOIFD)
12 Sep 09           h           St. Pat’s Ath / Monaghan Utd (FAIFC)
19 Sep 09           a           Athlone Town (LOIFD)
26 Sep 09           h           Bohemians (EASC)
29 Sep 09           h           Longford Town (LOIFD)

Betting:
Waterford: 7/5
Fingal: 17/10
Draw: 11/5