WW/EC JUNIOR SOCCER LEAGUE

The second half started with Waterford attacking immediately and a wonderful run by Quitirna saw him pass to Phoenix Patterson who found the net for goal number three for the Blues. Patterson then added his second and Waterford’s fourth goal ten minutes later. Waterford were the dominant team in this half and ‘keeper Brian Murphy was only called on, on a few occasions to ensure he kept a clean sheet. The full time whistle sounded and the Blues had their first victory for a number of weeks and are now five points adrift of leaders Cork City and level on games. City was the idle team last weekend.

Friday’s victory was a win the Blues needed as they appeared to be on a slide down the table after the recent results. Analysing the game, one has to say the Ramblers were the better team in the opening half, even though Waterford were two goals to the good. But it was only in the second half that the Blues showed what they can do and played very well in this period. But from what we have been seeing lately the team only play for 45mins and this is being borne out with the results in the past four or five weeks.

This coming weekend we have a double header at the RSC and both games are vital for the team. On Friday night Galway are the visitors and on Monday afternoon, league leaders Cork City are the visitors.

Galway are second in the table and three points clear of Waterford. John Caulfield’s team had to depend on a goal two minutes from time to draw with Wexford at Eamonn Deacy Park last Saturday evening. When Waterford played in Galway a few weeks back, they were leading 0-2 at half-time, but could not keep a clean sheet in the second half, conceding twice, and had to settle for a share of the points. This will not be an easy game for the home team and they cannot afford to drop points here with Cork City at home to Bray Wanderers.

On Monday, Easter Monday, Waterford have the league leaders at the RSC with a 2pm kick off.

When the Blues played Cork City at Turner’s Cross a few weeks back, City won 2-0. We wrote this was a very poor performance by Waterford who only came to life in the last 15mins of the game. Since that game, Cork City have gone on a very good run and lead the table with six wins in their eight games played, losing one and drawing one. This shows their consistency and they will be formidable opponents on Monday.

What do we expect from Waterford over the weekend? Six points is the answer, but on current form, and taking into account last Friday night’s result, it is doubtful if this will be achieved. From a Waterford perspective, it has to be two wins or it will be a battle for the rest of the season to make the knockout stages.

Cork City will have played Bray Wanderers at Turner’s Cross on Friday night and the Bray team could only draw at home to Treaty last week. City had a week off as they were the idle team last week and should be good enough to take the three points on Friday, before they head to the RSC for the afternoon game on Monday.

Monday’s game should see a large crowd at the RSC and is a must win game for the Blues.

Cobh Ramblers’ game against Waterford we have reported on and by the time our notes appear in print they will have played Longford Town away on Tuesday night. This Friday night they travel to Ferrycarrig Park to play Wexford. When the teams met the end of February at St. Colman’s Park, Wexford won with a last minute goal scored from the penalty spot for a 2-3 defeat for the Ramblers. Cobh are second last in the league table four points adrift of Wexford. On current form Wexford will be favourites, but if Cobh Ramblers can have a striker on form, then maybe they can make the long trip home with at least a point.