Crumlin United -V- Waterford United
Cup weekends always bring up David v Goliath games and tomorrow night we have got the best one of the round. Crumlin played the role of David already in the previous round knocking out Shelbourne after a replay. However, those games were the worst from Shels by far this season and it could be argued that the Shels side on those occasions weren't even trying and took their opponents for granted. Since that game Crumlin have lost two of their best players and have joined Shelbourne in the past couple of weeks funnily enough. Crumlin are out of season while Waterford are bang in season and one of the form sides in the country. They themselves were involved in a David -V- Goliath fixture in the previous round. Waterford showed no mercy by running out 6-0 winners. Here's a bit of a write up from the WUFC website:
United have faced their fair share of potential non-league banana skins already this season, getting by Carrigaline United in the last round of this competition, and Douglas Hall, Clonmel Town and Rockmount in the Munster Senior Cup. Stephen Henderson’s men are not in the habit of taking anything for granted, and will prepare for this game as any other.
However, though they will be scrupulously professional in their approach to the match, the Blues must be considered strong favourites to progress. They are in fine form in recent games, winning their last five on the trot, and in Graham Cummins they have a striker in scintillating form right now. A brace at Kildare County last weekend makes it 13 goals in the last nine games, and 22 in all competitions this season. United also have an exceptional away record – in 15 competitive games away from the RSC this year, they have won 12 and lost only the once. That to Shelbourne in the league. Who were dumped out of the Cup by Crumlin…
Waterford have no suspensions to deal with, and the only injury worry is to midfielder Dave Warren, who limped off towards the end of the Kildare match with groin trouble, and has to be rated a slight doubt for Friday’s game.
WUFC's manager's Quotes:
“We are on a roll right now, and our away record is brilliant to date.” “But we will prepare for that game [Crumlin] like every match we have played this season.” “We will not treat it any differently from any other game.”
Here's the results from the previous round in which it was league -V- non-league:
Shelbourne 1-1 Crumlin United
Shelbourne 0-1 Crumlin United
U.C.D 3-1 Arklow Town
Derry City 6-0 Ballymun United
Bray Wanderers 2-1 Bluebell
Bohemians 8-1 Mayfield United
Cherry Orchard 2-2 Monaghan United
Monaghan United 4-0Cherry Orchard
Blarney 0-2 Sporting Fingal
Waterford United 6-0 Carrigaline United AFC
So apart from Shels and Monaghan's slight blip it has been pretty comprehensive that there is a big difference between the top divisions in Ireland to the non-league sides. Boyles go a massive 4/9 on a Waterford win here. They are looking into Crumlin's results into the Shels games too much I feel. I'd have Waterford at something like 1/3 or so, the 4/9 definetly won't last. I'm going to be a little bit more exotic and take the (-1) handicap @ 23/20.
Backing Waterford United -1 @ 23/20 (Boyles) - 5pts.
