Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview
Waterford FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier
Division, Round 12, RSC, Friday 26th April 2024, kick-off 7.45pm
Despite the negativity surrounding events both on and off
the pitch in Derry’s 3-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Friday, City have come out
of yet another Friday-Monday weekend just three points off top spot following an
impressive 3-1 win over St Pat’s on Monday night.
The Candystripes started brightly against the champions on
Friday, with Danny Mullen coming closest when a left-footed effort from outside
the box crashed off the post in the first half. Derry’s deployment of a
five-man defence meant that Will Patching and Adam O’Reilly had a serious
amount of running to do in the centre of the park. As Rovers grew more into the
game and took control, their midfield of Richie Towell, Graham Burke, Dylan
Watts and Gary O’Neill ran the show. Watts assisted both of Aaron Greene’s
goals, whilst Towell swept Graham Burke’s lay off past Brian Maher to seal the
game with 20 minutes to go. Pat Hoban’s 7th goal of the season was
merely a consolation, but the side from Tallaght dominated the second half in a way that isn’t
often seen in the Brandywell. The City faithful will want to get this one out
of their memories as quickly as possible, particularly when considering the scenes
at the end of the match.
Monday’s performance was a near-perfect response though.
With around 500 less people in the Brandywell, the players knew they
needed to get the crowd back on side. Even though they had 67% of the ball
throughout the ninety minutes, St Pat’s posed little threat despite the quality
in their attacking areas. The Saints’ centre backs saw a lot of the ball, but
Derry sat tight. It seems like Ruaidhrí Higgins had a game plan and the players
stuck to it. Danny Mullen continued his rich vein of form, scoring either side
of a Pat Hoban goal to guide City to a healthy victory. That goal from Hoban was City's 2500th in a competitive fixture. Unlucky not to find the
net against Rovers, Mullen’s deft flicks and passing range are complimenting
the team nicely. It was good to see both of City’s strikers get on the scoresheet
as the manager went for two-up-top, a tactical change which won them the game
last time Pat’s visited the Brandywell.
We’re now two-and-a-half months into the season and Derry’s injury
woes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Cameron Dummigan has appeared just
once since being stretchered off against Sligo Rovers back in February and hasn’t
been included in the squad since his return against Dundalk. It’s a similar
story with Patrick McEleney, after receiving his long awaited Achilles surgery
at the end of 2023, the midfielder seemed to be back to his best in pre-season.
He was also brought off injured in that game in Sligo and has appeared just
once since. Last appearing on the bench in draw away to Drogheda two weeks ago,
it seems like City’s captain may have another tough season ahead as he awaits results of a calf scan. Sadou Diallo,
injured in a friendly against Finn Harps in pre-season, hasn’t been in a
matchday squad this term as he approaches his third month on the sidelines. The bad news keeps coming too - Jordan McEneff has suffered a broken foot and won't be involved for the forseeable. Michael
Duffy, too, picked up an injury against in Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Shamrock
Rovers and saw no minutes against Pat’s on Monday. Ruaidhrí Higgins will hope that
his left winger’s knock isn’t serious.
Waterford have had something of an up-and-down season so
far. They’ve won three matches – beaten Bohemians, St. Pat’s and Drogheda – but
have lost four and drawn four of the other eight matches. They’ve won only once
this season at home and will want to pick up their form if they’re to keep
breathing space between themselves at the bottom two. 8th at the
minute, Waterford are just two points off fellow promoted side Galway United in
5th. They bagged 84 goals last season in the First Division and, with
striker Pádraig Amond scoring five already this season, the Blues certainly
aren’t short when it comes to finding a goal. Winger Maleace Asamoah, who
appeared eight times in League One last season, has found the net three times this
term too. Left back Darragh Leahy has also had an impressive start to the
season, scoring twice and assisting twice to date. Northern Ireland U21
international Barry Baggley is a tidy defensive midfielder who can dictate play
from the centre of the park. He’s been out injured since mid-March and will be
a miss to the Waterford midfield. Goalkeeper Sam Sargent is quietly making a
name for himself too. With three clean sheets and an assist already this term,
the English keeper is a calm head between the sticks.
City’s 3-0 win over Waterford in the Brandywell earlier this
season will give the side confidence going into Friday’s fixture. Pat Hoban would
be doing well to replicate that hattrick on Friday, but with eight goals in ten
games you’d be mad to bet against him getting on the scoresheet. The Candystripes
haven’t won in Waterford since May 2021 when Ronan Boyce got the only goal of
the game against just four minutes. The right back is now a nailed on starter
for City and has bagged twice so far this campaign. Friday will be Derry's 600th away game in the Premier Division and their 50th against Waterford. The Blues are unbeaten in
their last three and Derry haven't won on the road this season, so it’s up to the visitors to
show their ruthless side and gather another valuable three points.
Pól O'Hare - 24 April 2024
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