Athlone look to bounce back - December 1, 2000
Athlone Town v Waterford United, 19:45
First division Athlone Town hope to get back to winning ways tonight when they host Waterford at St. Mel's - but boss Alan Buckley is warning his players to take nothing for granted.
Athlone are still smarting from their first defeat of the season - the 3-0 thumping by second-placed Dundalk last time out. And Buckley has told his squad: make sure it's not two defeats in a row.
"Football has a habit of kicking you in the teeth at the worst possible moment and you have to constantly be wary", said Buckley.
"I think the last time Waterford were beaten was when we played them at their place and I am sure that they are looking at our result against Dundalk and are taking heart from it.
"I am sure that Paul Power in Waterford is hammering home that fact that if they win they are only three points adrift but a loss will see them drift nine points off us," said Buckley.
Buckley has a full squad to choose from, but Waterford will be without suspended skipper Alan Reynolds. Paul Scully and Paul Cashin are available again after injury.
In tonight's other division one games, Monaghan will travel to Limerick - provided Hogan Park passes an inspection. The visitors will be without Ken Lundy, Gary Cummins and Anthony Mitchell, while Limerick boss will give fitness tests to Jason Purcell and John Whyte.
And Drogheda will move off the bottom for the first time this season if they beat St. Francis at United Park. Mark Byrne returns to the Drogs squad, but Colin Murphy, Damien Maher and John Butler are still injured.