WNL Preview: Cork City -v- DLR Waves

CORK CITY

Cork City’s final game before the midseason break sees them welcome DLR Waves to Bishopstown on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).

Rónán Collins’ side have lost their last six league games following a strong start that saw them win three of their first five.

Last week saw City defeated 5-0 away to Shelbourne with a squad depleted to the point where City couldn’t field any substitutes.

City have scored just one goal in their past three games against Shels, champions Wexford Youths and league leaders Peamount United, conceding ten.

“We’ll have time to think on this performance afterwards so we’re looking to finish strong [before the breal],” Collins told the club’s website.

“We worked a lot on our deep defending this week so we’ll be looking at bringing that controlled aggression into the game.

“It’s a game between two sides that like to play so it’ll make for a great spectacle.

“I was at DLR’s game last week.They played very well they were well organised, kept the ball and attacked with numbers. 

“The last 15 minutes didn’t turn out how they would have liked and that will really motivate them for the weekend so we’re going to have to be ready for that.

“We have Nathalie, Ciara, Rachel, Zara and Emma coming into the squad for this weekend’s game so that will give us a big boost. 

“Our earlier game in the season against DLR was a really good performance we’ll be looking for more of the same Sunday.”

Collins is without Lauren Egbuloniu as she recovers from a cruciate ligament injury, while former Irish international Savannah McCarthy is also injured.

Abby McCarthy, Eadaoin Lyons, Eve Badana, Stacey Paul O’Regan, Saoirse Noonan and Christina Dring are also absent.

DLR WAVES

DLR Waves suffered a shock defeat in Limerick last week as they surrendered a 2-0 lead going into the final 15 minutes.

Second-half goals from Kerri Letmon and another had Waves two goals to the good but Lauren Keane pulled one back before a brace from Aoife Horgan turned the tables.

It was a hard result for Graham Kelly’s side to take as a win would have lifted them three points clear of Cork and six ahead of Limerick heading into the break.

Defeat means Waves remain level on points with Cork while Limerick are also on nine points after 12 games.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

City and Waves have met once so far this season, with goals from Katie McCarthy, Lauren Egbonliu and Christina Dring helping the visitors to a 3-0 win at Jackson Park in April.

BETTING

Cork City 1/2; Draw 16/5; DLR Waves 10/3.

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 – 1 DLR Waves

Cork City

Injured: Lauren Egbuloniu, Savannah McCarthy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Abby McCarthy, Eadaoin Lyons, Eve Badana, Stacey Paul O’Regan, Saoirse Noonan, Christina Dring.

DLR Waves

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Unavailable.