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Team Bulletin
Waterford United v Mervue United at the RSC
Friday, June 1st, 2012 (KO 7.45pm)
Airtricity League Division One
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League action returns to the RSC as Waterford United play host to Mervue United this Friday (KO 7.45pm), looking to consolidate their third place on the table before the mid-season break.
The Blues booked their place in the next round of the FAI Ford Cup in Cork last Sunday with a gritty 1-0 win at Everton AFC, a result that had to be ground out against a dought 10-man MSL side, and amid some pretty unfavourable conditions, not least a second half downpour. The result kept the side’s current decent run going however, as they’ve now only lost one in the last eight, which they will be keen to extend on Friday.
Mervue arrive at the RSC looking for their first win in six visits, but their results against the Blues have improved substantially through the most most recent encounters, and United may be said to have been a tad fortunate to come back across the Shannon with a point on both of their last trips West. Manager Paul O’Brien knows how tough the challenge will be, but is confident his side will be ready to meet it.
The Blues boss again has no suspensions to worry about, but striker Willie John Kiely remains on the injury list, and he is likely to be joined by fellow forward Daragh Walshe (ankle) and left back John Frost (hamstring) for Friday night, though it is hoped all three will have returned to availability after the break.

O’Brien Quotes
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“Making it to the next round of the Cup via a real potential banana skin of a game was vital to maintain our recent good form.”
“The Cup is always a great leveller and we really had to battle hard against a very good and game Everton team, but all that matters is that we are in the hat for the next round draw.”
“As we approach the half way mark in the League I am heartened by the spirit, work ethic and sheer determination to succeed shown by all the players in our squad.”
“Friday’s game will be tough against a Mervue team that is improving but I am confident in the determination of our lads to get us back to winning ways at the RSC, and send us into the break in a confident frame of mind.”

Match Trivia:
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– The two sides have met 10 times since Mervue became a League of Ireland side in 2009, but so far the Galwegians have not won a game.
– However, their two draws in the ten games have come in the last three meetings, very much indicating an improving side.
– Willie John Kiely is United’s top scorer against Mervue, with five goals, so the visitors will not be sad to see that he remains out of contention for selection at present.
– Of the current squad, Seamus Long and Paul Phelan are the only remaining players to have scored for the Blues against the Galway outfit, both last season. David Breen and Ben Ryan have also scored against Mervue while with Wexford Youths.
– Mervue have yet to score at the RSC in five visits, but they famously did have the ball in the net in June 2010, which became a bit of a minor viral phenomenon, when Kenny Farrell’s attempted clearance rebounded from the face of Mike Elwood and flew 25 yards into his own goal.

The Missing List:
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Suspensions:
none

Injuries:
Willie John Kiely (dislocated elbow) – out 2/3 weeks
John Frost (hamstring) – very doubtful
Daragh Walshe (ankle ligaments) – very doubtful

Recent Form:
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Last Match:
Everton AFC    0 – 1    Waterford United
                               Breen 38 pen

Form:
Incl Pre-Season: (LLWWL) LWWLL LLDDW WWLWW
League: LWWLL DDWWW LW

Head-To-Head Stats:
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Home League Record:
Played 5 – Won 5 – Drawn 0 – Lost 0 – Goals For 9 – Goals Against 0
Away League Record:
Played 5 – Won 3 – Drawn 2 – Lost 0 – Goals For 12 – Goals Against 4
Total League Record:
Played 10 – Won 8 – Drawn 2 – Lost 0 – Goals For 21 – Goals Against 4
Record Home Win: 3-0 (25/6/2010)
Record Away Win: 6-1 (17/9/2010)
Record Home Defeat: n/a
Record Away Defeat: n/a

Head-to-Head Recent Results:
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06 Apr 12      Lge       Mervue United    0 – 0    Waterford United
21 Oct 11      Lge       Waterford United    2 – 0    Mervue United
22 Jul 11       Lge       Mervue United    1 – 1    Waterford United
06 May 11     Lge       Waterford United    1 – 0    Mervue United
17 Sep 10     Lge       Mervue United    1 – 6    Waterford United
25 Jun 10      Lge       Waterford United    3 – 0    Mervue United
03 Apr 10      Lge       Mervue United    2 – 3    Waterford United
20 Oct 09      Lge       Waterford United    1 – 0    Mervue United
01 Aug 09     Lge       Mervue United    0 – 2    Waterford United
02 May 09     Lge       Waterford United    2 – 0    Mervue United

Results This Season:
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27 May 12    a     Everton AFC                       (FAIFC)     1-0      W
18 May 12    a     Finn Harps                           (Lge)       1-0      W
11 May 12    h     Longford Town                     (Lge)       0-2       L
04 May 12    a     SD Galway                           (Lge)       2-0      W
27 Apr 12     a     Limerick FC                          (Lge)       1-0      W
20 Apr 12     h     Wexford Youths                    (Lge)       4-0      W
13 Apr 12     h     Athlone Town                       (Lge)       1-1      D
06 Apr 12     a     Mervue United                      (Lge)       0-0      D
31 Mar 12     h     Finn Harps                           (Lge)       0-2      L
26 Mar 12     h     UCD                                  (EASC)      1-6      L
24 Mar 12     a     Longford Town                     (Lge)       2-3      L
20 Mar 12     a     Cork City                            (MSC)       0-1      L
16 Mar 12     h     SD Galway                           (Lge)       1-0      W
09 Mar 12     h     Limerick FC                          (Lge)       3-1      W
02 Mar 12     a     Wexford Youths                    (Lge)       0-6       L

24 Feb 12     a     Shamrock Rovers                   (Fr)        1-8       L
18 Feb 12     h     Waterford Junior/U19 X           (Fr)        5-1       W
10 Feb 12     h     Castleview FC                      (MSC)      5-1       W
05 Feb 12     a     Bray Wanderers                     (Fr)        0-5       L
03 Feb 12     h     Cork City                              (Fr)        0-3       L

Next 6 Matches:
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22 Jun 12    a    Athlone Town (ALFD)
29 Jun 12    a    Wexford Youths (ALFD)
06 Jul 12     h    Limerick FC (ALFD)
13 Jul 12     h    SD Galway (ALFD)
21 Jul 12     a    Longford Town (ALFD)
27 Jul 12     h    Finn Harps (ALFD)

Top Scorers (League):
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4 – Gary Dempsey
4 – Sean Maguire
2 – Ben Ryan
2 – Willie John Kiely
1 – Daragh Walshe
1 – Gary Dunphy
1 – Paul Phelan

Top Scorers (All Competitions):
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5 – Gary Dempsey (4 Lge, 1 MSC)
5 – Sean Maguire (4 Lge, 1 EA)
3 – Ben Ryan (2 Lge, 1 MSC)
2 – Willie John Kiely (2 Lge)
1 – Adam McSherry (1 MSC)
1 – Daragh Walshe (1 Lge)
1 – David Breen (1 FAIC)
1 – Gary Dunphy (1 Lge)
1 – Paul Carey (1 MSC)
1 – Paul Phelan (1 Lge)
1 – Peter White (1 MSC)

Betting:
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Waterford: 8/15
Mervue: 9/2
Draw: 11/4