Waterford FC welcome First Division outfit Athlone Town AFC to the RSC on Friday in the third round of the FAI Senior Cup.
After defeating Cockhill Celtic FC in the second-round, the Blues will look to make it into the quarter-finals.
A 2-1 win against Cockhill Celtic put Waterford’s name in the hat for the third round – but the Blues were made to work hard for the win.
The Donegal side took the lead after 13 minutes through Luke Rudden, before Gbemi Arubi levelled proceedings nine minutes later. Captain on the night Ryan Burke headed home a deep Darragh Power cross three minutes into the second-half to grant the Blues their passage into the third round.
Keith Long’s side head into Friday’s game on the back of a stunning second-half performance in Dalymount Park last Friday, as the Blues picked up all three points with a 3-2 win at Bohemians.
After trailing 2-0 at half-time, an early second-half own-goal from Adam McDonnell & Darragh Power strike on the hour mark got the Blues level, before summer signing Sam Glenfield netted his first goal for his new club with an emphatic strike with ten minutes to go to give them the lead.
The hosts were given the opportunity to rescue a point in the 97th minute, but Dayle Rooney’s penalty rebounded off the Blues crossbar as Waterford FC picked up a valuable three points in the capital.
Athlone Town meanwhile have been the surprise package of the First Division this season, as they sit in second place in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division with 45 points to their name after 27 games – only seeing Cork City FC above them in the table.
Athlone have picked up mixed results in recent weeks, failing to win in any of their last three league games – most recently falling to a 3-2 defeat at home to Wexford FC on Monday evening despite running into a two-goal lead at half-time.
Dario Castelo’s side welcomed Munster Senior League side Ringmahon Rangers to the Athlone Town Stadium for their Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup second-round tie in July, and earned their way into the last-16 with a narrow 1-0 win against the Cork-based side.
Brian Torre’s goal three minutes into the second-half proved the difference between the sides, as they now make the journey to the RSC this Friday.
We'll have live updates on air this evening thanks to Ray Scott.
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