Promotion Playoff Preview: Waterford -v- Treaty United

WATERFORD

Waterford are coming into this second-leg encounter in the ideal position after a dominant display at Markets Field on Wednesday evening.

A Phoenix Patterson double in the opening half hour set them on their way to comfortable first-leg victory against the Limerick side. They were able to recover from the disappointment of missing a penalty and a Treaty response to wrap up the game in the closing period.

Junior Quitirna making up for his mistake from the spot and an own goal by Sean Guerins completing the scoring. It means they already have one foot in the final against either Galway or Longford.

Danny Searle expects a big response from their opponents though.

“We have had tough games against Treaty United this season,” Searle said, speaking to the club’s website.

“We know their strengths and weaknesses and we need to exploit them again if we want to progress in the First Division play-offs. They’ll be raring to go after Wednesday, so we need to be prepared for what they throw at us and to try and play our usual style.”

In team news Roland Idowu is side-lined through injury while Wassim Aouachria, Tunmise Sobowale, Darragh Power, Alex Bapiste are all doubts to feature on Saturday.

TREATY UNITED

It was one of those evenings where it all seemed to go wrong for the Limerick side. Having finished fifth in the regular season, they were paired with probably the in-form side of the division and a player in excellent form in the guise of Patterson.

His brace immediately put them on the back-foot in the game and meant they had to go for it. Having secured a response through Enda Curran’s penalty on the hour-mark, they found themselves a man down with the controversial dismissal of Colin Conroy. They were unable to hold out in the closing period and now face a daunting task.

It would be a disappointing climax to the season if it was to end this way. For a club founded two years ago, they have more than punched above their weight at this level. Finishing in the play-offs two seasons in a row, along with progress to the FAI Cup semi-finals, demonstrates their potential.

But if they wish to look for inspiration, they need only to look to last season. Again, they found themselves three goals adrift against UCD from the first-leg, only to go two nil up in the return. The students eventually progressed on to securing promotion. Incidentally, UCD will be the side facing whoever comes through the final. Whatever the end result is, they can be proud of their achievements.

Referee:Paul Norton

MATCH STATS

Waterford by far have the upper hand in games played already this season. Other than the first-leg win, they came out on top in three of the four league games played. And even more dominant at RSC where Waterford recorded a 3-0 and 4-0 win against their visitors. Treaty’s only win over their Munster rivals came when the sides first played each other. The home side won that 2-1.

BETTING

Waterford FC 4/11, Draw 7/2, Treaty Utd 11/2

PREDICTION

Waterford FC 3-0 Treaty Utd    

Waterford FC

Injured: Roland Idowu

Doubtful: Wassim Aouachria, Tunmise Sobowale, Darragh Power, Alex Bapiste

Suspended: N/A

Treaty United

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: Colin Conroy