In-form Waterford United make the relatively short trip up the N9 to take on Kildare County this Saturday night (KO 7.30pm).

The Blues are in top form at present, having won their last four matches on the spin, and confidence in the squad is sky high after their 3-1 EA Sports Cup semi final victory over UCD at the Belfield Bowl on Tuesday, an impressive result given the recent history between the two sides. It was Waterford’s first triumph over the Students in eight games, since their last victory on the College campus back in 2005, but it was the nature of the win which will give the Blues squad most confidence, as a superb second half display saw Waterford in absolutely irresistable mood going forward, with the College defence simply unable to keep them out.

Stephen Henderson will be hoping his side can replicate that performance when they get back to the bread and butter of the league at Station Road on Saturday night. County’s home record is not one to catch the eye, with just two points won at the Newbridge venue all season. By contrast, Waterford have one of the best away records in the division, and in addition have been victorious in the last five meetings between the sides. But the Blues boss will be mindful of the challenge a recently revitalised Kildare will pose. The Thoroughbreds may be propping up the table with a total of eight points, but they won seven of those points in July, including three goal victories at Mervue United and Wexford Youths, that last result in Kildare’s last outing at Ferrycarrig Park.

Despite a number of niggling minor injuries going into last weekend, all of the United players are expected to have a clean bill of health come next Saturday. There are no suspensions in operation.

Suspensions:
none

Injury Update:
none

League Top Scorers:
15 -   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):
20 -   Graham Cummins (15 League, 2 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)
2 -     Kevin Waters (1 League, 1 EA Sports Cup)
         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
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWW

Last Match:    UCD 1 (Finn 91 pen)  -  Waterford United 3 (Browne 58, Cummins 64, 86)

Previous Meetings:
09 May 09    L       Waterford United   v   Kildare County        2 – 0
31 Oct 08     L      Kildare County   v   Waterford United         1 – 2
29 Aug 08     L      Waterford United    v    Kildare County       3 – 1
27 Jun 08     L       Kildare County    v    Waterford United      1 – 2
18 Apr 08     L       Waterford United    v    Kildare County      3 – 2
28 Dec 02    L       Kildare County    v    Waterford United      1 – 1
10 Oct 02    L       Waterford United    v    Kildare County      2 – 2
 

Results This Season:
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:
14 Aug 09           a           Crumlin United (FAIFC)
22 Aug 09           h           UCD (LOIFD)
29 Aug 09           h           Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)
04 Sep 09           a           Wexford Youths (LOIFD)
12 Sep 09           h           Shelbourne (LOIFD)

Betting:
Kildare: 5/1
Waterford: 1/2
Draw: 5/2