League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Waterford United

• Fran Reilly
• Fri, Jun 05 2015




COBH RAMBLERS

For the second time this season, Cobh Ramblers will face Waterford United having been eliminated from a domestic cup competition by a non-league team in their previous outing.

 

After being dumped out of the EA Sports Cup 3-2 by UCC in April, Stephen Henderson's side travelled to the RSC where they played out a 1-1 draw with United – a result they were ultimately fortunate to get given that Willie John Kiely missed a 92^nd minute penalty which would have definitely won the game for the Blues had it gone in.

 

This time round, Cobh will play host to Waterford having been knocked out of the FAI Cup last week by Leinster Senior League side Killester United at Haddon Park. The 3-0 scoreline was comprehensive and perhaps surprising to some considering that Henderson played, by and large, a full-strength side – eight of the 11 who started the 2-2 draw with Cabinteely in Stradbrook the previous week featured against Killester.

 

Having gone unbeaten in Henderson's first five league games in charge, the Rams have lost three and drawn one of their last four games in all competitions. Defeat to Waterford on Fridaywould see the Blues leapfrog sixth-placed Cobh in the table on goal-difference.

 

Henderson will have to try and avoid this without the services of Darren Murphy Snr., Peter White, Andrew Bhandarkar and David Browne, while Jonathan Creamer looks set to miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

 

There are also doubts over the availability of Audi Dunlea, Stephen Hickey, Ryan Goldsmith and a pair of Cobh's quartet of McCarthys – Chris and Steven. However, another McCarthy, Graham, returns for Cobh after serving his suspension last week.

 

WATERFORD UNITED

Like Cobh, Waterford come into this game on the back of being eliminated from the FAI Cup by non-league opposition. Leinster Senior League side Tolka Rovers defeated the Blues 2-1 in Franke Cooke Park courtesy of goals from Denis Moran and Mark Townley, with the latter getting set-off five minutes from time as the Reds held out for the victory.

 

Roddy Collins will have been disappointed with the result and it means that two of his first three games in charge of the Blues have ended in the defeat – the rousing 3-1 win over Cabinteely on Collins' managerial debut in the RSC seems a long time ago already, but the back-to-back losses will give the new man at the helm a better idea of what he's working with.

 

For example, Willie John Kiely's rich vein of form at present has coincided with Collins' appointment. Despite missing a stoppage time penalty against Cobh the last time the two sides met, WJK's goal last week against Tolka was his sixth of the season in all competitions and his third in his last three games. The former Aberdeen striker has already bettered last season's tally of four league goals and will be an important part of Collins' plans.

 

The Blues currently occupy seventh place in the First Division table, which is where they ended the 2014 campaign. Collins will drill into his players that the best way of climbing any league table is to get results against the teams around you, and that's what Waterford need to do when they travel to St. Colman's Park on Friday.

 

However, the Waterford boss will have to plan without Anthony McAlavey who was sent off three minutes after Tolka striker Townley last week.

 

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea.

 

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers' last win against Waterford United was on the final day of the 2013 season when a Davin O'Neill brace was enough to give Dave Hill's side a 2-1 win and deprive Tommy Griffin's men a third place finish – and a chance of winning promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs.

 

Waterford United have won six of the last 11 league meetings between the sides, with Ramblers only winning once and the other four games ending in draws.

 

The Blues' last victory in St. Colman's Park came in June 2013. A brace of Ben Ryan penalties earned Waterford a 2-0 victory over their hosts despite having Darragh Walshe sent off for a second yellow card six minutes from time.

 

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 11/10; Draw 11/5; Waterford United 11/5.

 

PREDICTION

2-2.

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Darren Murphy Snr., Peter White, Andrew Bhandarkar, Dave Browne, Jonathan Creamer (anterior cruciate ligament).

Doubtful: Stephen Hickey, Audi Dunlea, Chris McCarthy, Steven McCarthy, Ryan Goldsmith.

 

Suspended: None.

 

Waterford United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Anthony McAlavey.