Houston's Station

Potentially a very important player this weekend, Jordan Houston missed the last two games having picked up a knock in the warm-up for the game against Drogheda United two weeks ago. I expect him to start on Sunday, however, and would guess that he just wasn’t risked against Shelbourne last week.

The 26-year-old Scot will have the gargantuan task of silencing the great Michael Duffy, a two-time PFAI Player of the Year winner and long-established as one of the biggest threats in the league. Duffy has already won four FAI Cups with Dundalk and his hometown Derry and will be key to his side’s hopes on Sunday.

While the wonderful winger has scored four times against Waterford this season and has often been the bane of the Blues, he hasn’t come up against Houston much. Waterford started the season without a right back and Duffy, no surprise, made them pay with a hat-trick back in February. 

Houston made his first start in late April, but went off injured after just 26 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Derry at the RSC in May. The Blues were 1-0 down by then in Graham Coughlan’s first game in charge, but that was the only goal Derry have scored with Houston on the field.

 

Soaking up the semi-final win with Hayden Cann (Noel Browne)

In July, Waterford were 3-0 up at the Brandywell when Houston made way for Jørgen Voilås in the 78th minute. Derry pulled two goals back before Voilås sealed the win with Waterford’s fourth goal. Jordan then missed the second 2-2 draw at the RSC in September when Duffy scored Derry‘s second lead goal.

While Duffy has the freedom to move about the pitch during games, it is notable that his three goals against Waterford this year (excluding the penalty that sealed his hat-trick in February) have all come from his natural left-wing position. He stole in at the back post for a header and a volley in the first game and cut back inside to curl a superb goal at the RSC.

Duffy is a menace and it will take more than one player to stop him. Houston, however, is a very solid, natural full back who has quietly impressed this year. In fact, the bigger the match, the better he has done - including a fantastic performance in the semi-final in Dalymount Park.

He has a huge task ahead, but has the makings of a hero. If it all goes to plan, then with Houston, we won’t have a problem. 

(Main photo - Josh Kiely)