Mervue Utd still seeking first win

Date Published: 01-Apr-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

IT is Mervue United’s turn to host First Division leaders Waterford United, after the South of Ireland outfit accounted for Salthill Devon on a scoreline of 1-0 at Drom last weekend.

No doubt, Waterford will make the trip to Terryland Park on Saturday evening for the 7pm kickoff confident that they can extend their winning streak to five games and their league form to date, maximum points from their first four games, would suggest they are firm favourites to do so.

That said, Mervue United were unlucky not to get something out of last weekend’s visit to Cork Foras Co-Op at Turners Cross. Having conceded an early goal to Graham Cummins, Tom French’s outfit gained parity on 25 minutes when Eric Browne headed home a Dan Cunningham delivery.

Unfortunately, Mervue were subsequently hit for two Shane Duggan goals after the break and although Enda Curran reduced the deficit, the sending off of Ollie Keogh left Cork with the numerical advantage entering the final stages.

Four minutes from time, Duggan completed his hat-trick to help his side to a 4-2 victory.“We sort of got caught on the hop,” said Mervue manager Tom French. “We had a man sent off so we had to revert to a 3-4-2 when we were trying to chase a goal. We did manage to get back into the game at 3-2, but, obviously, that left a few gaps at the back. If we had equalised, we would have shut up shop, but as it was Cork scored that late goal.”

French has no fresh injury worries – defender Martin Conneely (thigh), striker Craig Tone (ankle) and long-term injury victim David Goldbey (knee) are still out – although Ollie Keogh picks up an automatic suspension following his dismissal against Cork City Foras Co-Op.Taking the positives from last weekend’s game, French said he was delighted his charges put two goals on the scoreboard away from home.

“Cork City were the best footballing side we have played against this season, and when you leave gaps against a team like that, it is always a likelihood that you will concede. I am not disappointed with the way we played. I think we are still a couple of weeks away from where we want to be at.”