Waterford v Bohemians Preview

One of the big reasons for Waterford’s success in finishing seventh last year was picking ten points up against tomorrow’s opponents Bohemians. Keith Long’s Blues won the first three encounters and salvaged a late draw in the final meeting. If they can keep that run going, then an already-outstanding start to the season will get even better.

Ryan Burke returns from suspension, but the ex-Bohemian may have to make do with a place on the bench. Kyle White has scored in both games in which he has replaced Burke at left back so it is hard to see a change being made there. Ben McCormack, James Olayinka and Sam Glenfield should all be fully fit now and pushing for midfield places, but Matty Smith and Trae Coyle remain sidelined.

 

 

Back-to-back wins last weekend will have made training a pleasure in Carriganore this week and the table-topping Blues should be brimming with confidence. Waterford have been involved in four one-goal deciders this season – coming out on top in three – which will stand to them in what is probably going to be the tightest and most competitive Premier Division in history.

Equally, all four of Bohs’ games have been decided by a single goal, but Alan Reynolds’ men have only come out the right side of one of them. They began the season with an impressive 1-0 win against Shamrock Rovers in front of an all-time league record crowd at the Aviva Stadium. However, that euphoria slipped away quickly with three consecutive defeats – 1-0 and 2-1 in Derry and Cork respectively before Monday’s worrying 1-0 loss to Drogheda in Dalymount.

Goalkeeper James Talbot has been given the nod over Kacper Chorazka in all four games to date. Rob Cornwall will likely return to the backline having served a suspension on Monday and should partner 21-year old Leigh Kavanagh at the heart of the defence. The Dubliners have a wealth of options going forward with former Blues Connor Parsons and Colm Whelan joining Ross Tierney, Dawson Devoy, Dayle Rooney and £10 million man Lys Mousset.

 

 

Waterford’s new captain Pádraig Amond scored winning goals in both the 1-0 win in Phibsborough and the 2-1 victory in the RSC early last season. The third meeting of the sides was breathtaking as the Blues overcame a two-goal half-time deficit to win 3-2 with an own goal and strikes by Darragh Power and Glenfield along with a late penalty miss from Rooney for the shellshocked Bohs. Glenfield was on the scoresheet again in the 1-1 draw at the RSC in October with his 93^rd minute net-buster the only goal scored by a Waterford substitute in the whole of last season.

While we’re all enjoying the novelty of seeing Waterford lead the league, nobody doubts that this season will take many twists and turns. The one pattern emerging so far is the knife-edge nature of most games. Only three of the nineteen games played have been decided by more than one goal. There is very little between any of the ten teams so matches are decided by fine margins. Hopefully Waterford are the ones still standing at the final bell again tomorrow night.

 

(All photographs courtesy of Noel Browne)